Erosion of Sediment Beds in Sewers: Model Development

Abstract

The problems created by sediment deposits in combined sewer systems (sanitary and storm) are internationally recognized. The loss in conveyance due to these deposits contributes to hydraulic overloading, leading to flooding and premature operation of combined sewer overflows. The washout of sediments through combined sewer overflows into urban water courses during times of storm and the associated pollution caused by this phenomenon may be a factor affecting many urban ecosystems. Based on field observations, coupled with sampling and analysis of combined sewer sediment deposits, it has been found that in the invert of pipes there is often coarse, loose, granular, predominantly mineral material overlain by a mobile, fine-grained deposit. The erosion of the latter type of deposit is considered to be the source of the “first foul flush” of pollution, which is observed in many sewerage systems in response to storm events. This paper describes an experimental laboratory investigation of the erosion and subsequent suspended sediment transport of an in-pipe, fine-grained, organic, cohesive-like sediment deposit analogous to those found in sewers. The development of the laboratory system, the test program, the results of the study, and the development of a new approach to model the erosion and transport of cohesive-like sediments in pipes are described. Conclusions regarding the importance of the structure of the bed and its erosional behavior under a wide range of time-varying hydraulic conditions are presented.