Simulating Clastic Sedimentation

Tetzlaff, Daniel M.; Harbaugh, John W.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-0692-5

Cited by 163 publications

(76 citation statements)

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“…The sediment routing model of fluvial deposition, SEDSIM (Tetzlaff & Harbaugh, 1989), is based on solution of the simplified equations of motion of water and sediment. It is claimed to be able to simulate flow, sediment transport, erosion and deposition in river channel bends, braided rivers, alluvial fans, and deltas.…”

Section: Channel Beltsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depositional Models of Braided Rivers

2006

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Depositional models of braided rivers are necessary for rational interpretation of ancient deposits, and to aid in the characterization of subsurface deposits (e.g. aquifers, hydrocarbon reservoirs). A comprehensive depositional model should represent bed geometry, flow and sedimentary processes, and deposits accurately, quantitatively, and in detail. Existing depositional models of braided rivers do not meet these requirements, and there are still many misconceptions about braided rivers and their deposits that need to be expunged. Over the past decade, there have been major advances in our understanding of braided rivers, making it possible to develop new and improved depositional models. First, the use of groundpenetrating radar in combination with cores and trenches has allowed detailed description of the different scales of deposit in braided rivers that vary widely in channel size and sediment size. Second, the study of braided channel geometry and kinematics has been facilitated by the use of aerial photographs taken at short time intervals. In some cases, these photographs have been analysed using digital photogrammetry to produce digital elevation models. Third, water flow and sediment transport at the all-important flood stages have been studied using new equipment and methods (e.g. acoustic Doppler current profilers, positioning using differential global positioning systems). However, such high-flow studies are rare, which is one reason why there has not been much progress in development of realistic theoretical models for the interaction between bed topography, water flow, sediment transport, erosion and deposition. Laboratory experimental studies of braided rivers have continued to be useful for examining the controls on channel geometry and dynamics, but have not been able to generate all of the different types and scales of strata observed in natural braided river deposits.New depositional models for sand-bed and gravel-bed braided rivers are presented here based mainly on studies of natural rivers. They comprise: 1 maps showing idealized active and abandoned channels, compound bars and lobate unit bars; 2 cross-sections showing large-scale inclined strata and their internal structures, associated with migration of compound bars, unit bars and their superimposed bedforms; 3 vertical logs of typical sedimentary sequences through different parts of compound bar deposits and channel fills.Compound bars migrate laterally and downstream, associated mainly with accretion of lobate unit bars. Abandoned channels are mainly filled with unit-bar deposits. The geometry of the different scales of strataset is related to the geometry and migration of the bedform associated with deposition of the strataset. In particular, the length-to-thickness ratio of stratasets is similar to the wavelength-to-height ratio of associated bedforms. Furthermore, the wavelength and height of bedforms such as dunes and bars are related to channel depth and width. Therefore, the thickness of a particular scale of strataset ...

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Section: Channel Beltsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depositional Models of Braided Rivers

2006

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“…The predicted deposits were used as training images for a transition probability model that was used to simulate oilfield data. SEDSIM (Tetzlaff & Harbaugh, 1989) is a sediment routing model of fluvial deposition that is based on solution of the simplified equations of motion of water and sediment. It is claimed to be able to simulate flow, sediment transport, erosion and deposition in river channel bends, braided rivers, alluvial fans, and deltas.…”

Section: Channel Beltmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Modelling of Alluvial Deposits: Recent Developments

Bridge

2008

Analogue and Numerical Modelling of Sedimentary Systems: From Understanding to Prediction

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Alluvial deposits occur over a range of superimposed scales, dependent on the scales of associated topographic features (such as ripples, dunes, bars, channels, floodplains, valleys, river systems), the time and spatial extent over which deposition occurred, and the degree of preservation. Understanding and prediction of alluvial deposits is aided by numerical (forward) modelling of depositional forms and processes. The most desirable approach to such numerical modelling is through solution of the fundamental equations of motion for the fluid and the sediment (e.g. conservation of mass, momentum and energy) for all of the scales of deposits. Construction of the equations of motion requires an understanding of the interactions among unsteady, non-uniform, turbulent water flow, the supplied and transported sediment, and the topography of the sediment bed. This understanding is very incomplete.Simplified numerical forward models have been applied to relatively short-term, small-scale processes such as bed degradation and armouring downstream of dams, reservoir sedimentation, and sorting of sediment (e.g. downstream fining) during deposition in spatially decelerating flows. However, such models are rarely applied over long time periods, over large spatial scales, and where there are complicated temporal and spatial variations in the geometry, water and sediment supply. This is because of limitations to computing facilities, and because of lack of understanding of the workings of the alluvial system. As a result, long-term, large-scale alluvial processes are commonly treated using 'process-imitating' models. Process-imitating models do not necessarily represent processes accurately or completely. This review of process-based models demonstrates that they are generally undeveloped, and linkages between models for different scales are lacking. Process-based modelling is in its infancy. As a result, structure-imitating stochastic models are widely used for simulating alluvial hydrocarbon reservoirs and aquifers, given some initial data. However, such models cannot help understanding of alluvial deposits, nor can they predict their nature outside the data region.

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“…There are many published numerical models of sedimentation in basins (e.g. Tetzlaff and Harbaugh 1989;Li and Amos 2001). These have treated the simulation of sedimentation from different points of view and using different techniques (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Syntectonic Sedimentation: Combining a Discrete Element Model of Tectonic Deformation and a Process-based Sedimentary Model in 3D

et al. 2010

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This paper presents a new numerical program able to model syntectonic sedimentation. The new model combines a discrete element model of the tectonic deformation of a sedimentary cover and a process-based model of sedimentation in a single framework. The integration of these two methods allows us to include the simulation of both sedimentation and deformation processes in a single and more effective model. The paper describes briefly the antecedents of the program, SimsafadimClastic and a discrete element model, in order to introduce the methodology used to merge both programs to create the new code. To illustrate the operation and application of the program, analysis of the evolution of syntectonic geometries in an extensional environment and also associated with thrust fault propagation is undertaken. Using the new code, much more complex and realistic depositional structures can be simulated together with a more complex analysis of the evolution of the deformation within the sedimentary cover, which is seen to be affected by the presence of the new syntectonic sediments.

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Simulating Clastic Sedimentation

Cited by 163 publications

References 0 publications

Depositional Models of Braided Rivers

Depositional Models of Braided Rivers

Numerical Modelling of Alluvial Deposits: Recent Developments

Modelling Syntectonic Sedimentation: Combining a Discrete Element Model of Tectonic Deformation and a Process-based Sedimentary Model in 3D

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