Characteristics of Turbulent Flows and Suspended Sediment Transport in Open-channel with Submerged Vegetation

Abstract

The open-channel flow with submerged vegetation shows distinct features in two separate regions, namely upper and vegetation layers. In the upper layer, the flow is akin to the open-channel flow, while the flow in the vegetation layer is relatively uniform with suppressed turbulence due to vegetation stems. This paper presents laboratory experiments to investigate the characteristics of turbulent flows and suspended sediment transport in open-channel flows with submerged vegetation. An open-channel facility, 0.5 m wide and 12 m long, was used for laboratory experiments. Various discharges were employed with depth ratios of 2～3, and wooden cylinders were used for vegetation. To make equilibrium suspension, sediment particles of median diameter of 75 μm were fed until capacity condition. Laser Doppler velocimeter was used to measure instantaneous velocity, and direct sampling with vinyl tube was used to measure the concentration of suspended sediment. Using the sampled data, the mean flow and turbulence structures were provided and characteristics of suspended sediment concentration with Rouse number were presented.