Bifurcation modelling in a meandering gravel–sand bed river

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The Rhine bifurcation at Pannerden forms the major distribution point for water supply in the Netherlands. Its morphological stability has been a concern for centuries. The AA. present experiences from more than 2 decades of numerical morphological modelling of this bifurcation with a gravel-sand bed and a meandering planform. Successive computations have shown the importance of upstream approach conditions, the necessity to include physical mechanisms for grain sorting and alluvial roughness, and the need to assume a thicker active layer of the river bed than is suggested by laboratory flume experiments using a constant discharge. The AA. discuss limitations in calibration and verification, but argue that, notwithstanding these limitations, 2D and 3D morphological models are valuable tools, not only for pragmatic applications to engineering problems, but also for revealing the limitations of established knowledge and understanding of the relevant physical processes.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2012, vol. 37, n°. 14, p. 1556-1566, nombre de pages : 11, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley