Threshold of Grain Motion 1 Definition general sediment

Threshold of Grain Motion 1. Definition - “general sediment movement” beyond occasional motion a. more or less continuous b. includes grains on all surfaces c. causes bed deformation. 2. What factors of the fluid and sediment are important? (Assume: steady, uniform flow; nearly spherical grains; moderately well-sorted) 1 st Order:

2 nd Order: Hjulstrom (30 s) worked with the very first order variables: ū and D Hjulstrom diagram, mean flow velocity required to initiate movement on a flat, uniform bed. Flow velocity required to sustain movement is less (lower curve)

Sundborg (1956) - added more detail, and dealt with consolidation in fine-grained end.

In more physical detail - Force balance on particle under incipient motion. F L Fd Fg Fg - total gravitational force. Fg = ( s - )g. V FL - lift force caused by pressure differences around the particle due to velocity shear across the grain diameter FL = f (velocity profile very near the bed)

Fd - Drag force depends on the undisturbed flow velocity in the vicinity of the grain (so also a function of the very nearbed velocity profile). Moment Balance: r (Fg - FL) sin = r Fd cos After significant manipulation (see Harris notes):

Non-dimensionalize the shear stress: or the Shield’s parameter, Therefore, the critical shear stress for transport depends on: • the drag coefficient, • the vertical velocity profile near the bed, • the ratio of lift to drag, and • the shape and angle of repose of the sediment

Now that we know our key variables, we can form a relationship for as a function of: • Roughness Reynolds number, R* controls very nearbed velocity profile & lift and drag coefficients • Constants of the sediment: shape, angle of repose Shields Diagram

Miller, Mc. Cave & Komar, Sedimentology, 1977

Others have non-dimensionalized the axes, Miller, Mc. Cave & Komar, Sedimentology, 1977

And made more assumptions to simplify further. . Miller, Mc. Cave & Komar, Sedimentology, 1977

Effects of grain sorting on threshold of grain motion: If there is a range of sizes: Or… Effects of organic factors: density differences binding at surface bioturbation