Adaption of a formula for simulating bedload transport in the Nile River, Egypt

Abstract

Bedload transport discharge is important in river engineering and morphodynamics. The Meyer-Peter and Muller (MPM) equation for determining bedload transport rates that was introduced in 1948 is still widely used in basic and applied engineering practise. An employment of the MPM equation for sand bed rivers is rarely observed as it usually performs well for gravel-bed rivers. The MPM equation was improved by introducing a correction factor considering the effects of the bedform and sediment mixture. Field measurements of bedload transport rates at 64 cross sections of different sites along the Nile River in Egypt were collected and employed to enhance the prediction of bedload transport rates based on the MPM formula. Furthermore, independent laboratory experiments were executed in a straight sand bed flume to verify the modified form of the MPM equation and to extend its application range. The MPM equation was improved by introducing a correction factor considering the effects of the bedform and sediment mixture. The accuracy of several sediment transport formulas (Meyer-Peter and Muller 1948; Frijlink 1952; Wong and Parker J Hydraul Eng 132:1159–1168, 2006; van Rijn 1984; modified Abdel-Fattah 2004; Huang Water Resour Res 46 W09533, 2010) was also evaluated using cumulative field measurements. Results suggest that the modified MPM equation is more suitable for the Nile River conditions than are the other tested equations. The study results indicate that the modified MPM equation can predict the bedload transport rates under the Nile River conditions with high accuracy.