Suspended Sediments in Environmental Flows: Interpretation of Concentration Profiles Shapes

In environmental flows, field and laboratory measurements of suspended sediments show two kinds concentration profiles. For coarse sediments, a near-bed upward convex profile is observed beneath the main concave profile. this study, we consider 1-DV models, namely, classical advection–diffusion equation (ADE) based on gradient diffusion model, kinetic model. Both need sediment diffusivity, which related to eddy viscosity, an y-dependent β-function (i.e., inverse turbulent Schmidt number). Our study shows that model reverts ADE with “apparent” settling velocity or diffusivity. numerical resolution ADE, simple accurate tools are provided for both diffusivity hindered settling. The results profiles good agreement experimental data. An interpretation by “criteria” shapes. steady open-channel flows shape in Cartesian coordinate depends vertical distribution derivative R (the ratio between sediments): dR/dy > −1 while < A generalization proposed oscillatory over sand ripples, where time-averaged semi-log plots interpreted relation second logarithm product additional parameter convective entrainment process.