Project Number: 6408-13000-020-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 01, 2007
End Date: Jun 30, 2008

Objective:
Utilize acoustic/seismic and other technologies for (1) quantifying the temporal and spatial distribution of suspended and bedload sediment loads in fluvial environments; (2) collaborate with NCPA, University of Mississippi, to (a) advance the state-of-the-art in the use of multiple acoustic frequencies for extracting detailed information on sediment concentration and particle-size distribution, (b) characterize the relationships between acoustic attributes, such as acoustic velocity, absorption, and impedance of sediments, and sediment physical properties, and (c) use high-resolution acoustic sub-bottom profiling systems to delineate and characterize sediment deposits upstream of dams in flood-control reservoirs; (3) early detection of changes in the stability of streambanks, pond levees, and earthen embankments due to piping, mass failure, gullying, and extreme flood events. (4) Develop improved models to predict erosion of streambanks, earthen spillways and embankments by mass failure and concentrated flows through gullies and soil pipes.

Approach:
Advance state-of-the-art in the use of acoustic techniques to characterize fractional rates of suspended sediment and bedload transport, relate acoustic signatures to properties of sediment loads and sediment deposits behind dams, and soil piping and pore water content in embankments. Utilize physical models and field sites to evaluate and develop key relationships related to sediment transport, deposition behind earthen spillways and embankment erosion. Data from experimental studies and from the literature will be used in the development of predictive tools of the spillways and embankment erosion process. Collaborate with other ARS locations, the National Center for Physical Acoustics and the National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering at the University of Mississippi, and other university cooperators to meet the research objectives.