Abstract
An experimental field survey was conducted at the Gentaro sabo dam to evaluate the basic characteristics of a geophone placed on the spillway of the Hira River. A geophone is a device used to measure sediment discharge by picking up sounds of sediment particles that hit steel pipes located in a riverbed. This study analyzed kinetic energy and sediment discharge in relation to acoustic energy, i.e., voltage data recorded and sensitivity of detection. Results of this study showed that 1) data exceeding one particle's kinetic energy of 30 × 10-9 kg m2/sec2 ( a 2.0-mm particle or larger) should be selected when acoustic energy is analyzed; 2) a high correlation between acoustic energy and sediment discharge shows that sediment discharge can be analyzed from acoustic energy; and 3) the sensitivity of detection can be analyzed when the size of particles hitting the geophone and water depth are known.
