HWM-30306 River Flow and Morphology

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Practical intensively supervised22
Tutorial42
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. AJF Hoitink
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. AJF Hoitink
dr. ir. B Vermeulen
Examiner(s)dr. ir. AJF Hoitink

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

HWM-23806 Fluid Mechanics.

Contents:

The course deals with advanced topics of river flow and morphology, emphasizing hydrodynamics, sediment transport and morphodynamics in rivers and streams. It first covers the basics of one-dimensional channel flow by deriving the St. Venant equations, and presents solution methods. Simplifications to the St Venant equations are introduced that lead to kinematic and diffusion wave approximations, being the bases for flood routing methods. The course proceeds with the foundations of turbulence and sediment transport research, applying methods of dimensional analysis. A significant portion of time is dedicated to monitoring methods, introducing acoustical instruments to measure flow, sediment transport and river bed dynamics. The final lectures address river morphological concepts and introduce one-dimensional analytical models simulating riverbed evolution.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of the course students are expected to be able to:
- understand water level dynamics in rivers and streams in response to forcing functions;
- explain the behaviour of flow and turbulence, and relate hydrodynamic processes to sediment transport;
- understand scaling relations required to interpret laboratory results of scale models in hydraulics and river research;
- apply the St. Venant equations and their simplified versions to both scientific and practical problems;
- provide the theoretical background required to choose an appropriate sediment transport prediction formula in river science and engineering;
- predict the primary bed evolution changes resulting from measures in a river system;
- understand and critically analyse and discuss contemporary scientific literature on river flow and morphology.

Activities:

The course consists of lectures, seminars, discussions of scientific papers and experiments in the Kraijenhoff van der Leur Laboratory for Water and Sediment Dynamics. Students who follow this course but do not follow the course HWM-32806 Hydrological Processes in Catchments, can take part in te one-week excursion to Iceland as a Capita Selecta. During the Iceland Excursion, the main topics of River Flow and Morphology will be illustrated and discussed.

Examination:

The mark for the course will be based on written examination of the theory and judgment of practical assignments.
The River Flow and Morphology course consists of 6 credits; 5.25 credits are reserved for the theoretical part, and 0.75 credits for the practical part. The final mark will be determined according to the ratio 5:1.

Literature:

Lecture notes. Available at the secretariat of Centre for Water and Climate (Atlas).

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Restricted Optional for: MEEEarth and EnvironmentMSc5AF