Assessment the Effective Parameters on Sediment Entrainment Coefficient of Body of Density Currents in Low Concentration

A main source of sediment transport in dam reservoir and lakes are density currents. A main parameters in density currents, is sediment entrainment in the body. In this study the effective parameters of sediment entrainment was studied. Experiments were conducted in hydraulic modeling laboratory of hydraulic engineering department, Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz. The measuring section includes a flume with adjustable slope, 9.25 m long 0.5 m width and 0.75 m depth. Results show that, by increasing shear velocity and concentration of inflow, sediment entrainment coefficient of body will increase. Normally, sediment concentration in the body of the current will decrease due to sedimentation but in the currents with sediment concentration less than transport capacity, sedimentation are not occurred. Finally, two equations are proposed for estimating sediment entrainment coefficient of the body of turbidity currents.