Abstract
The study is to simulate a straight channel of the Arkansas river around Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, which channel underwent massive erosion and channel migration as it returned to a more natural, meandering path. Experiments have done by modeling the sedimentary processes that changed in response to changing hydraulic and geologic parameters resulting from the excavation of the channel. Geologic parameters such as fluid and sediment discharge, velocity, transport capacity, and sediment load are input into the model. These parameters regulate the frequency distribution and sizes of sediment grains that are eroded, transported and deposited. The experiments compare favourably with aerial photographs, recreating similar patterns of fluid flow and sedimentation. Comparisons reveal a substantial degree of concordance between actual and simulated channels. It is to help validate the simulation procedure's general applicability for experiments involving flow and sediment transport by rivers. Moreover, simulations provide insight for understanding and spatial distribution of sediment bodies in fluvial deposits and the internal sedimentary structure of fluvial reservoirs. This simulation model can be contributed to support the development of the new design criteria compatible with natural river processes including flood, especially drainage problem to minimize environmental disruption.
