Turbulent Sediment Transport Over a Flat Bottom Using Momentum Balance

Abstract

The turbulent flow of a sediment-fluid mixture over a flat bottom is studied using momentum balance. The in-the-small forces included are gravity, buoyancy, and a linear drag. A turbulent average is applied and mixing length theory is used for the resulting Reynolds stresses. Assuming small concentrations and small still water settling velocity, the resulting velocity profile is logarithmic; the sediment concentration profile is relatively constant near the bottom, and drops off rapidly above a certain level predicted by the theory. Numerical and asymptotic results are discussed.