Bridge headwater afflux estimation using bootstrap resampling method

The bridge structure’s development causes a riverbed cross-sections contraction. This influences the flow regime, being visible during catastrophic floods. Then the flow velocity increases and water piles up upstream the bridge, where headwater afflux could be observed. These changes depend on the watercourse geometry and the bridge cross-section properties, especially on the degree of flow contraction under the bridge. Hydraulic conditions under the bridge depend on flow velocity, dimensions, and shape of abutments, the granulometric composition of bedload, which can be quantitatively characterized by hydraulic resistance coefficients. The research subject of headwater afflux is equated with the recognition of morphodynamic processes occurring along the passage route. The headwater afflux could be estimated by empirical formulas and by the energy method using Bernoulli’s law. Empirical methods are optimized by adopting various statistical criteria. This paper compares the headwater afflux values calculated using two existing empirical formulas, Rehbock and Yarnell, and compares them with the results of laboratory tests. Following the assumption that the free water surface is influenced by flow resistance, an attempt was made to include friction velocity in the empirical formulas. Based on the Authors’ database, the coefficients used were optimized using bootstrap resampling in Monte Carlo simulation. The analyses demonstrated that the formula best describing the phenomenon of headwater afflux upstream the bridge is an empirical formula built based on the historical Yarnell formula, which includes friction velocity value. The optimized equation provides an average relative error of 12.9% in relation to laboratory observations

Applying laser scanning technology to studying alluvial flume-bed topography in laboratory conditions

The aim of the research was to compare alluvial bed topography description in laboratory conditions using the “traditional”, currently applicable method with an original approach, based on LiDAR technology. LiDAR application in local scours shape investigation in based on the grounds of introducing the autonomic measuring module, which, placed above the bed on dedicated controllable arrangement of guideways, describes the landform as a cloud of coordinates. The result of the performed experiment was obtainment of point clouds (x, y, z), reflecting the bed shape before and after local scour formation during twenty measurement series with varying hydraulic conditions. Objects of the study were basic geometry properties of the scour hole and its volume. The measurement with laser scanner technology application allowed for obtaining much more accurate results in shorter time, comparison to disc probe survey, and also relatively fast conversion of numerical data into figures. The device equipped with portable computer, precise stepper motors and dedicated software permitted the introduction of automation into laboratory work. The effect is not only measurements accuracy, but also significant acceleration of data gathering. The adopted grid is characterized by significant density, which – in connection with meaningfully high accuracy – allows very precise surface description. Bed shape can be presented in numerical or graphical form. It must be pointed out that disc probe method application would never give such accuracy as in the case of introducing laser scanning technology in similar studies

Adaptation of Selected Formulas for Local Scour Maximum Depth at Bridge Piers Region in Laboratory Conditions

The study aimed to adapt selected formulas for the estimation of the maximum depth of local scour in the area of the bridge pillar model: Begam formula, Laursen and Toch equation and the equation included in the Regulation of the Polish Minister of Transport and Marine Economy of 30 May 2000 on technical requirements for road engineering structures and location of these structures. The results of own laboratory tests were used for the adaptation. A total of 19 series of measurements with different durations, water flow rates and water depths were performed. The tests were carried out on a model of a washable flume model with a sandy bed, with a single cylindrical bridge pier. The formulas were optimized using the Monte Carlo sampling method. The best match among the original formulas was obtained for Laursen and Toch’s formula (mean relative error 15.3%). For Begam’s formula, an average relative error of 21.6% was received, and for calculations using the Regulation equation, a relative error of 30.1% was obtained. Optimization of formulas using the Monte Carlo sampling method resulted in a formula that describes laboratory data with a mean relative error of 8.8% based on the Begam equation, a mean relative error of 13.8% based on the Laursen–Toch equation, and 28.5% for the formula based on equation included in the Regulation

Hydroelectric Power Plants and River Morphodynamic Processes

Hydropower is one of the renewable energy sources. Hydropower plants generate electricity using the kinetic energy of flowing water. Although hydroelectric power plants are not as prominent as solar or wind farms, it should be noted that they generate the most significant amount of the power. They are also the most technically advanced projects. Power plants are built with different technical parameters of turbines, different sizes of dams or weirs and different ways of exploiting the energy of flowing water. A common feature, however, is the significant impact of hydroelectric power plants on the functioning of adjacent regions. The paper divides this impact into economic and local development, landscape, and ecological functions, emphasizing the interaction of these influences. The paper discusses the hydromorphological changes taking place in the immediate vicinity of the structure, as a consequence of channel development. The processes of aggradation and degradation of the channel are the answer to hydrodynamic equilibrium loss. These hydrodynamic processes are associated with the subsequent ecological response of the habitat. The most important of these include the dynamic equilibrium loss by the river and the subsequent morphological parameters striving to restore it according to Lane’s relation, known as the most important principle in the fluvial morphology science. The impact of the hydropower plant on the fluvial environment results, first of all, from a significant environmental impact of the damming of the river itself. If the structure is correctly designed, maintained, and operated, it allows controlling the water conditions upstream and downstream with simultaneous energy production. Due to several geometric, hydraulic, and granulometric changes, and further, the resultant economic, landscape, and natural changes that significantly affect the operation of a region, these should be considered as early as the design stage and should be an integral part of any hydroelectric project

Using the River Habitat Survey method in forecasting effects of river restoration

Prognozowanie efektów renaturyzacji rzeki z wykorzystaniem metody River Habitat Survey. W pracy przestawiono możliwość wykorzystania metody River Habitat Survey (RHS) do oceny przewidywanych efektów renaturyzacji rzeki Zielawy na odcinku między km 18 + 960 a km 19 + 460. Tak zwana Ramowa Dyrektywa Wodna nakłada konieczność osiągnięcia w najbliższym czasie przez rzeki europejskie dobrego stanu ekologicznego. Renaturyzacja rzek jest głównym narzędziem poprawy jakości rzek, uregulowanych według wymagań technicznych. W artykule przedstawiono propozycję renaturyzacji odcinka rzeki Zielawy według czterech wariantów robót oraz dokonano oceny, wykorzystując metodę RHS, wpływu tych prac na poprawę obecnego stanu hydromorfologicznego rzeki. Stwierdzono, że w zależności od przyjętego wariantu robót poprawa stanu odcinka rzeki jest możliwa z obecnej V klasy do IV klasy (warianty 1 i 2) lub III klasy (warianty 3 i 4)

On local scouring downstream small water structures

Background In order to regulate water flow, hydraulic structures such as weirs or checks, frequently equipped with gates, are used. Water can flow below or over the gate or, simultaneously, over and below the gate. Both diversifications of hydraulic gradient, being an effect of damming up a river by the structure and shear stresses at the bed, which exceeds the critical shear stress value, invoke the local scouring downstream the structure. This phenomenon has been studied in laboratory and field conditions for many years, however Researchers do not agree on the parameters that affect the size of the local scour and the intensity of its formation. There are no universal methods for estimating its magnitude However, solutions are sought in the form of calculation formulas typical for the method of flow through the structure, taking into account the parameters that characterize a given structure. These formulas are based on factors that affect the size of the local scours, that is, their dimensions and location. Examples of such formulas are those contained in this article: Franke (1960), Straube (1963), Tarajmovič (1966), Rossinski & Kuzmin (1969) equations. The need to study this phenomenon results from the prevalence of hydrotechnical structures equipped with gates (from small gated checks to large weirs) and from potential damage that may be associated with excessive development of local erosion downstream, including washing of foundations and, consequently, loss of stability of the structure. Methods This study verifies empirical formulas applied to estimate the geometry parameters of a scour hole on a laboratory model of a structure where water is conducted downstream the gate with bottom reinforcements of various roughness. A specially designed remote-controlled measuring device, equipped with laser scanner, was applied to determine the shape of the sandy bottom. Then the formula optimization is conducted, using Monte Carlo sampling method, followed by verification of field conditions. Results The suitability of a specially designed device, equipped with laser scanner for measuring the bottom shape in laboratory conditions was demonstrated. Simple formula describing local scour geometry in laboratory conditions was derived basing on the Straube formula. The optimized formula was verified in field conditions giving very good comparative results. Therefore, it can be applied in engineering and designing practices

Using a Modified Lane’s Relation in Local Bed Scouring Studies in the Laboratory Channel

Numerous approaches to local scour forming studies have been developed. This paper presents different scientific approaches to the scour phenomenon using Lane’s relation [1] in its modified form during laboratory studies. The original Lane’s relation is applicable in dynamic balance conditions in alluvial rivers context, and it is not an equation, but a qualitative expression which cannot be directly used to estimate the influence of a change in one parameter on the magnitude of others. Lane\u27s relation, despite its qualitative and simplified character, serves well to describe the nature of the process of forming alluvial stream channels, while modified relation allows transforming it into an equation for laboratory studies of local scour forming in prearranged clear-water equilibrium conditions and gives a new opportunity for this principle application

Using a modified Lane’s relation in local bed scouring studies in aluvial bed

Numerous approaches to the local scour studies have been developed. The research aim was to verify modified Lane’s relation in scope of local scouring phenomenon basing on laboratory studies results. Original Lane’s relation [1955] is applicable in dynamic balance conditions in alluvial rivers context. Original form is not an equation, but a qualitative expression which cannot be directly used to estimate the influence of a change in one parameter on the magnitude of others. Modified version allows transforming it into equation for dynamic equilibrium conditions in steady flow assumption and gives a new opportunity to this principle application. Two physical models of laboratory channel with rectangular cross-sections and glass panels have been constructed, with totally or partially sandy bottom. Model I assumed non-continual sediment transport, because of model construction, i.e. the solid bottom transforms into sandy bottom in the intake part. Model II assumed water structure (the weir with four slots) introducing into laboratory channel with solid bottom in its region, whereas the rest of channel was filled with sand above and below structure, i.e. continuity of sediment transport was assured. Results of research confirmed modified Lane’s relation usability in scope of local scouring phenomenon description in dynamic equilibrium conditions of alluvial sandy bed

A proposed quantitative method for assessing the impact of river regulation on its hydromorphological status

Changes in river channel morphological parameters are influenced by anthropogenic factors, such as climatic changes, river catchment management changes, and hydrotechnical development of rivers. To assess the intensity of individual pressures and the resulting changes in abiotic and biotic factors in the riverbed, water quality monitoring is conducted, including the assessment of the hydromorphological status. The assessment can be based on the River Habitat Survey (RHS) which is a synthetic method that includes the evaluation of habitat character and river quality based on their morphological structure. The input data, which characterise any river include physical features of hydrotechnical structures, bed granulation, occurrence of bedforms, visible morphodynamic phenomena, and a sediment transport pattern. The RHS method allows to determine two quantitative indices used to evaluate the hydromorphological status: Habitat Modification Score (HMS), which determines the extent of transformation in the morphology of a watercourse, and Habitat Quality Assessment (HQA), which is based on the presence and diversity of natural elements in a watercourse and river valley. The proposed method can be divided into three stages. The first assesses the river section hydromorphological indices, describing the degree of technical modification (HMS) and the ecological quality of the reach (HQA), using the RHS method. The second stage describes morphological changes resulting from the technical regulation and estimates indices for the regulated reach. Finally, we compare HQA and HMS indices before and after the regulation. This comparison is described by numerical indicators and related to reference values