Segment V10.4: Erosion in a Channel

(Related to Textbook Section 10.6 - Rapidly Varied Flow)

In many situations it is the complex two- or three-dimensional flow in an open channel that is of interest (as opposed to uniform channel flow). Such flows are often very difficult to analyze theoretically.

The complex three-dimensional flow structure at the end of the floor of the channel in this model test is responsible for the severe erosion along the channel bed. Without an appropriate design to eliminate the undercutting of the channel floor, the entire channel bottom would soon be washed downstream. (Video courtesy of U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.)