Critical shear stress for incipient motion of a particle on a rough bed

Abstract

The main objectives of the present study are to obtain improved models of hydrodynamic forces and torque on a particle sitting on a bed and to use these models for the investigation of incipient motion and resuspension of particles. The improved models for force and torque are obtained from numerical simulations of a particle sitting on a bed with a turbulent flow of logarithmic mean velocity profile approaching the particle. Since the mean turbulent velocity profile can depart from the logarithmic profile in case of macroscale rough beds or flow down steep slopes, we have also considered forces and torque on a particle due to both linear and uniform mean flow profiles. The computed drag and lift coefficients and the predicted critical shear stress for incipient particle motion and resuspension are compared against available experimental results. The improved force and torque models are also used to evaluate the effect of turbulent velocity fluctuations on the critical shear stress for incipient motion and resuspension. The present results are of direct relevance to cases where the particle is mostly exposed to the ambient flow. In cases where the particle protrusion is small and is submerged mostly within a pocket of other particles, the above formulation can be used with a redefined area of exposure and flow velocity seen by the particle. However, the drag, lift, and torque coefficients and the resisting forces will be influenced by the partial exposure and the details of pocket geometry, which require further investigation.