Abstract
In this paper, a physics-based model that couples a bank erosion model with a meander evolution model is developed and evaluated. The physics-based bank erosion model considers the cantilever failure mechanism with slump blocks and decomposition effects. Moreover, bank accretion was considered using critical values of time required for landing, shear stresses and water depths. Two cases were tested. The first case consists of a hypothetical small-scale channel with cohesive riverbanks. Cross sections in the straight and curved part of the channel were compared to evaluate the curvature effect. Furthermore, the effect of the bank strength in the plan shape of the channel was tested in this case. The results show that the curvature increases the erosion rate in the outer bank and changes the cross-sectional profile by narrowing and widening the channel width. The plan shape of the channel changed as the bank strength was increased. In the second case, the model is compared with the River meander migration software (RVR meander) and the advantages and limitations of the model are discussed in terms of meander migration plan form and bank erosion processes. The results showed that the presented model is capable of simulating asymmetric bends.
Highlights
Meanders are systems that are constantly changing, following a sinusoidal pattern, and playing an important role in the modelling and shaping of the landscape around them
The fluvial erosion rate is faster in the outer bank (T = 280 s)
The improved numerical model presented in this study was used to study cantilever failures with slump blocks in a curved channel
Summary
Meanders are systems that are constantly changing, following a sinusoidal pattern, and playing an important role in the modelling and shaping of the landscape around them. In the inner bank, where point bars are formed, the bank is accreting, while the outer bank experiences bank erosion. The topography of point bars is determined by channel widening induced by outer bank erosion mechanisms [8]. All these interactions, show that even though the outer and inner banks are under different processes, they are connected and they “communicate” with each other [2,7]. Independent processes of bar formation and bank erosion do not redirect enough flow from the outer bank towards the inner bank
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