Vertical Distributions of Velocity and Concentration in Sediment-Laden Open-Channel Flow Based on a New Mixing-Length Concept

Abstract

A theoretical model to predict the distributions of velocity and concentration for sediment-laden flow in open channel is developed by means of a new mixing-length concept. The vertical velocity distribution is obtained as a function of the vertical sediment concentration. The Karman coefficient is independent of suspended load and equal to 0.4. The solution of velocity distribution departs from the logarithmic law in the outer layer. The sediment concentration equation is derived analytically, using the vertical mass balance equation over the water depth.