Quantification of Transverse In-Stream Structure Hydraulics

Abstract

Undesired bank erosion and migration of channel bends has led to the development of transverse in-stream structures as a mitigation technique. Currently, state-of-the-art procedures for structure design focus upon ranges of geometric parameters and do not provide information regarding hydraulic effects due to parameter alteration. A mathematical framework for the description of induced transverse in-stream structure hydraulics as a function of geometric parameters was proposed. The framework was empirically calibrated using normalized velocity data from a physical model study of various transverse in-stream structure types and geometries. Developed methodologies represent a fundamental improvement over traditional design methods, allowing for the prediction of induced hydraulic effects and the optimization of structure geometries to meet project design criteria.