Share

Feedback

Projects

Get an overview about the project outputs and related knowledge

D1) Mixed-size sediment morphodynamics

Start: 09/2014
End: 09/2018
Status: Active

Contact details

Victor Chavarrias

Delft University of Technology

Download here the summary poster and the PhD thesis related to this project.

Laboratory experiments to understand mix-size sediments dynamics that typically occur in rivers (Source: Left image: TUDelft).

Project output

Insight into the origin and possible solution to the limited predictive capabilities of morphodynamic models that  account for mixed-size sediment.

Challenge

Rivers carry sediment of different sizes. Modelling this characteristic is essential for properly predicting the effect of interventions (e.g., sediment nourishments). The current modelling approach sometimes catastrophically fails when accounting for mixed-size sediment, as the model is mathematically ill-posed. Currently, river managers do not have a reliable tool for predicting river morphodynamic changes accounting for mixed-size sediment. We conducted laboratory experiments aimed at gaining insight into the origin of the problem and in search of a possible solution. We used two sediment size fractions: fine (blue) and coarse (red). Degradational conditions were imposed, causing the entrainment of fine sediment. The current model cannot predict this situation.

Key goals: Fundamental understanding

The current model (top) fails when modelling the experiments. Our strategy to regularize the current model (bottom) is stable and captures the behavior averaged with time reasonably well.

Innovative components

We have analyzed the conditions under which the current model becomes useless in practice (see top Figure): A large spurious oscillations develops that mixes the substrate sediment in an unrealistic manner. We have developed a tool to predict when will this happen in numerical simulations. We have conducted a set of laboratory experiments to gain insight into the physical reasons that cause failure of the current model. Using the results of the analysis and the laboratory data, we have developed a strategy that prevents the current model from failing (see bottom Figure). We have also developed a new model that describes the physical processes observed in the experiment that are not included in the current model.

Form whom and where?

Our results are of special interest for modellers. In particular, for people dealing with morphodynamic changes including mixed-size sediment. Our results are applicable at both laboratory and field scale without restriction. The problem of ill-posedness is independent of the numerical solver. For this reason, the results apply to all modellers independently of the software they use (e.g., Delft3D, FM, Telemac, Basement,…).

Data-collection methods: Numerical modeling Physical and laboratory experiments

Temporal scale: 1-10years

Application and findings

  • Mathematical analysis of the typical model for mixed-sediment river morphodynamics.
  • Development of a tool into the software pachake Delft3D to numerically assess the results of simulations and their representation of the natural phenomena.
  • Laboratory experiments to gain insight on the mechanisms that are important under those conditions where the typical model fail to reproduce the natural phenomena.

Status for day-to-day practice

A tool to analyze well-posedness of numerical simulations is available. A research numerical model describing river morphodynamics with mixed-size sediment is available that includes the current modelling approach as well as the strategy to regularize the current model when this becomes ill-posed and our new model. This type of tools are specially useful when looking at parts of the river where mixed-sediment properties are relevant such as the Pannerdensch Kannal (see map) but also in other rivers around the world.

Example location in The Netherlands where this project outputs are specially relevant.

Spatial scale: River section

Key locations: Abroad Netherlands (NL)

Next steps

While we have analyzed the problem of ill-posedness under one and two-dimensional conditions, our solutions have focused on one-dimensional conditions only. We are currently extending our work to two-dimensional conditions.

Last updated: 10/02/2020

Explore the contact details to get to know more about the researchers, the supervisory team and the organizations that contribute to this project.

Main researcher

Victor Chavarrias

Delft University of Technology

Supervisory team

dr. ir. Astrid Blom

dr. Ralph Schielen

Rijkswaterstaat Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

Prof. dr. ir. Wim Uijttewaal

Delft University of Technology

Contributing partners

As soon as available, explore the storyline to get to know more about the main methods or prototype tools that were developed within this project.

Explore the output details for available publications to get a glance of the innovative components and implications to practice as well as the links to supporting datasets.

Project outputs

Ill posedness in modelling two-dimensional morphodynamic problems

We reveal the existence of two additional mechanisms under which the 2D system of equations does not provide a unique solution.

11/04/2019 by Victor Chavarrias et al.

View details View publication

Contains: Publication open access

A regularization strategy for modeling mixed-sediment river morphodynamics

Approach to improve the prediction capabilities under which the most common model does not provide a unique solution.

05/04/2019 by Victor Chavarrias et al.

View details View publication

Contains: Publication open access

Ill-posedness in modeling mixed sediment river morphodynamics

Our aim is to provide modelers of river morphodynamics with the mathematical tools to detect the occurrence of ill-posedness in their results.

13/02/2018 by Victor Chavarrias et al.

View details View publication

Contains: Publication open access

Take a look to the dissemination efforts and application experiences which are available in the news items and blogs.

Blogs

Follow the pretty pebbles

01/06/2017 by Victor Chavarrias

Victor's research aims at predicting how the river will behave if water management authorities consider to add sand to the river.

View blog

The rivers of the future initiative is taken up

30/01/2018 by dr. Ralph Schielen

RiverCare is now well on its course and is delivering great results. Rijkswaterstaat is involved in all user committees and tries to incorporate the...

View blog

All blogs

Events

14/06/2019

Sharing knowledge with HKV, one of the project partners.

For RiverCare, it is very important to have face to face meetings to exchange the knowledge, and make sure to discuss with interested parties the results of the researchers.

View event

25/05/2019

Knowledge sharing meeting in Witteveen+Bos, Rotterdam

How can we apply the researchers’ findings to improve our designs and environmental impact assessments? How can we share lessons learned from RiverCare within our team of engineers and consultants?

View event

15/09/2017

Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics 2017 in Padova (Italy)

Seven intrepid researchers took part on one of the most important conferences on the field.

View event

All events

News

RiverCare was featured on the DeltaLink edition about rivers

01/10/2016 by dr. ir. Astrid Blom

The Room for the River programme aimed at increasing flood safety by creating space for water. However, when considering integrated management, there are other...

View details

All news

Anything to ask or share?

About us

We would like to learn from your experiences and questions to take our knowledge further into practice in the Netherlands and abroad. Your feedback will help us to find out about your interests and how useful the information provided was to you.