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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Special Publications

Abstract


Shelf Sands and Sandstones — Memoir 11, 1986
Pages 133-144
Storm-Dominated Shelves - Processes

Experimental Evaluation of a Generalized Suspended-Sediment Transport Theory

Guy Gelfenbaum, J. Dungan Smith

Abstract

Accurate, physically based theories of near bottom flow and sediment transport that are applicable under a broad range of conditions are important in a wide variety of marine geological situations, both modern and ancient. As a reliable and general suspended-sediment transport theory is required, the effects such as those produced by the following have recently been added to existing theories: multicomponent settling velocity distributions; suspendedsediment caused density stratification; settling velocity reduction as a result of high suspended-sediment concentrations; and effective boundary roughness enhanced by sediment transport. In order to evaluate the usefulness and generality of these and other additions under controlled conditions, a modified version of the Smith and McLean (1977a) suspended-sediment transport theory was tested against the flume measurements of Vanoni (1946), and Einstein and Chien (1955). The combined steady flow data set covers a broad enough range of conditions to include those found in most natural sediment transporting situations. In the two data sets, particle sizes range from 0.08 to 1.68 mm, non-dimensional volume concentrations vary from 2.5 × 10-7 to 2.4 × 10-1, and shear velocities range from 3.0 to 14.4 cm/s. Results of these comparisons between theoretical and experimental velocity and suspended-sediment profiles demonstrate that the generalized theory works very well for the entire range of sediment and flow conditions studied, i.e., over the range of conditions encountered in most marine and fluvial suspended sediment transport situations.


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