Experimental Investigation of the Flow Pattern and Delta Characteristics under Steady and Unsteady Flow

In the present research, the formation and development of the delta and the interaction of the flow pattern and sediment in the reservoir under steady and unsteady flow condition of water and sediment is experimentally investigated. Laboratory observations showed that in spite of the perfect symmetry of the geometry and hydraulic conditions of the model, the flow at the reservoir entrance is randomly diverted to one side and an asymmetric but stable flow is created at the reservoir entrance. The sediment entry and its deposition in the reservoir leads to an unstable flow and a change in flow direction. The instability in unsteady flow is more severe than under steady flow condition. The results showed that with the growth of the delta, the deviation of delta decreases and approaches the symmetry. Delta development takes place in longitudinal and transvers directions and the maximum elongation of delta is about 0.8 at the initial stages, and decreases with delta development. An equation is developed for time of change in direction of flow in terms of the specific parameter of the hydrograph. In order to study the sedimentation pattern, non-dimensional parameters such as the length of delta (Xt*), deviation ratio (ψ) and delta elongation (η) are introduced. An equation is developed to estimate the length of delta using non-dimensional parameters.