Sediment Transport of Fine Sands at High Velocities

The predictive capability of the sediment‐transport formulas of Ackers‐White, Engelund‐Hansen, and van Rijn at high flow velocities is investigated. Total‐load transport at high velocities over a fine‐sand bed (100‐400 μm) is studied by analyzing data from the literature and data from new flume and field measurements. Flume experiments were performed to measure flow‐velocity and sand‐concentration profiles in a self‐eroding flow initially free of sediment. The flow velocities were up to 2.7 m/s. A two‐dimensional vertical mathematical model for suspended sediment was applied to compute the equilibrium transport rates. Finally, predicted transport rates are compared with measured transport rates under flume and field conditions. The formulas of Engelund‐Hansen and van Rijn predict transport rates that are in reasonable agreement with the measurements.