Relationship between energy dissipation rate and channel morphology in the development of the model braided channel

Abstract

A certain pattern of channel is the product of its self-adjustment under given boundary, discharge and sediment conditions. Based upon the principle of process-response model, an experimental study with 18 runs is carried out in LESRC. This paper is focused on the variation of the energy dissipation versus the channel morphology during and after the bedmaking process of braided channel. The results show that there exists a good empirical relationship between the energy dissipation rate and channel morphology. According to this relationship and the theory of minimum rate of energy dissipation, the authors explain the metamorphosis of the model channel with the development of the braided river.