Experimental analysis of the stability of coarse sediments

To predict the inception of sediment motion, Shields diagram remains the most widely used criterion in engineering practice so far. However, this approach faces several limitations and a number of gaps in knowledge still remain. The present research aims to provide new knowledge about the inception of motion in rivers with coarse sediments. A series of experiments was conducted in a flume horizontal 6 m long and 15 cm wide. The bottom was paved, either entirely or partly, with gravels of approximately 12 mm in diameter. Ultrasonic sensors were used to measure the water depth, a flowmeter for the discharge, an ultrasonic velocity profiler (UVP) transducer for the flow velocity. Three different thresholds were defined to distinguish between the following states: no motion, vibration of stones, local motion, and large scale motion. The overwhelming influence of turbulence was emphasized by the conducted tests. This paper details the results of these experiments and demonstrates the need for further research in order to better quantify these effects.