Improved prediction of cohesive sediment erosion based on inter-particle forces

Cohesive sediment (more commonly known as mud) forms the bed of many waterways and coastal environments and is thus the foundation on which critically important engineering structures are built. However, predictions of how easily it is eroded by flowing water are limited by our understanding of internal forces that generate its cohesiveness (i.e. stickiness).

This innovative study combines: (a) new field and laboratory research on erosion thresholds and rates of cohesive sediment and (b) a novel computational dynamics model to simulate cohesive sediment mechanics and erosion dynamics. The improved predictions will help to protect critically important aquatic environments and water resources from contaminated sediment and engineering infrastructure from scour-induced failure.

Above: Measuring the erosion resistance of cohesive sediment in a laboratory flume.

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