Experimental evaluation of bed slope failure on the behavior of density currents

The density current is studied experimentally in this study by considering the steep slope.Experiments were conducted in a rectangular laboratory flume. Measurements wereperformed at six sections along the flume. Slopes equal to ۰.۰۸, ۰.۱۲, and ۰.۱۶ werecreated, respectively. In each slope, different input discharge, and varied concentrationswere evaluated. The results of the experimental runs indicated coefficients of depthdistributions of velocity in various concentrations, initial velocity, and different slopesoccur within a limited range so that a single equation could be processed using themeasured data. The results illustrated entrainment ratio increments with the increase ofslope at identical initial conditions. Thus, slope can be considered as another parameterinfluencing on the entrainment ratio variations of which do not follow a particular processbased on changes in concentrations. Increase of current discharge due to hydraulic jumpranges from ۴ to ۲۴ percent and in jump occurrence, the entrainment ratio would be about۹ percent higher than ordinary. Finally, comparison of conjugate depths ratio of jumpassessed by experiments with the amounts calculated through analytical solutionsdemonstrates the difference is within a range of -۳۱.۳ and ۱۹.۴ percent.

Keywords:

Density current , bed slope failure , velocity distribution , entrainment ratio , hydraulicjump.