Energy-balance in stream-flows carrying suspended load

Abstract

Problem.-— The mechanism by which a flowing fluid transports solid material in suspension has received a great deal of thought. Many avenues of approach have been explored in attempts to gain more insight into the phenomenon. One of these which has been employed with the object of establishing the basic criteria of transportation in suspension has been the study of the energy-balance of the flow. The Transactions of the American Geophysical Union contain important discussions that fall in this category. In 1933, W. W. Rubey [Trans, 1933, p. 497] presented a paper on "Equilibrium-conditions in debris-laden streams" to the Section of Hydrology. This article proposes a general expression of stream-equilibrium in the form of an energy-equation. In this equation the loss in potential-energy of the flowing mixture plus the decrease in kinetic energy of flow is equated to the energy consumed in friction plus the energy consumed in supporting the debris. One of the significant conclusions reached by Rubey on the basis of this analysis, together with pertinent field-data, is that the energy consumed in supporting the debris is normally a very small fraction of the total energy in the flow.

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