Simulation of Unsteady Flow and Soil Erosion in Irrigation Furrows
by Shiyan Zhang, S.M.ASCE, (Postdoctoral Researcher, Tsinghua Univ., Graduate School at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China; formerly, Graduate Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.), Jennifer G. Duan, (corresponding author), M.ASCE, (Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. E-mail: gduan@email.arizona.edu, AZ 85721.), Theodor S. Strelkoff, M.ASCE, (Research Hydraulic Engineer, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maricopa, AZ 85238.), and Eduardo Bautista, M.ASCE, (Research Hydraulic Engineer, Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maricopa, AZ 85238.)
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Vol. 138, No. 4, April 2012, pp. 294-303, (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000396)
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| Document type: |
Journal Paper |
| Abstract: |
This study developed a one-dimensional numerical model for the simulation of unsteady flow and the resultant soil erosion in irrigation furrows. The model solves a modified version of the Saint-Venant equations that consider the loss of mass and momentum attributable to infiltration and sediment transport. The transport rate of fine sediment was predicted with a modified Laursen formula that treats the tractive shear stress as a function of both Reynolds number and the particle size. The modified Laursen formula was verified by using the erosion data measured in the field and in a laboratory flume. The model accurately predicted flow advance times and outflow hydrographs in comparison with data measured in irrigation furrows at Kimberly, Idaho. Sediment discharge predictions were less accurate. |
| Author Keywords: | 
| Irrigation furrows |
| Unsteady flow |
| Infiltration |
| Sediment transport |
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