Fast clogging problem of open check dams and a new type suggestion:curved footed type open check dam

Driftwood is one of the important physical components in mountainous rivers which causes severe hazards due to the clogging of bridges,culverts,and narrow sections during floods.Therefore,the understanding of driftwood dynamics and mitigation measures are crucial for managing wood in rivers.Open check dams are the most commonly used engineering measure for preventing driftwood from reaching downstream areas.Nevertheless,these open check dams frequently lose their sediment transport function when they are blocked by sediment and driftwood,especially during major flood events.This paper proposes a new type of open check dam for preventing from clogging.Thus,flume experiments were conducted to examine the influence of different types of open check dams on the characteristics of driftwood deposition.For the model with wood length(LWD)=16.5 cm,wood diameter(D)=15 mm,and wood number(N)=172,the highest trapping efficiency was observed with 90.1%and 87.2%retention rates for the classical debris flow breaker and curved footed open check dams,respectively.Laboratory tests showed that through this proposed design,woody debris blockage in a very short time was prevented from the accumulation of woods beside the dam.In addition to this,most of the sediment passed through the check dam and most of the driftwood got trapped.It can be briefly stated that the geometrical design of the structure plays an important role and can be chosen carefully to optimize trapping efficiency.By designing this type of open check dams in mountain river basins,it may provide a better understanding of the driftwood accumulation and basis for the optimal design of these structures.Further development of the solution proposed in this work can pave the way for designing different types of open check dams for effective flood management.

A Theoretical Study on Energy of a Gaseous System Vis-a-Vis Mass and Temperature

To study various properties of a gas has been a subject of rational curiosity in pneumatic sciences. A gaseous system, in general, is studied by using four measurable parameters namely, the pressure, volume, number of moles and temperature. In the present work, an attempt is made to study the variation of energy of an ideal gas with the two measurable parameters, the mass and temperature of the gas. Using the well known ideal gas equation, PV = nRT where symbols have their usual meanings and some simple mathematical operations widely used in physics, chemistry and mathematics in a transparent manner, an equation of state relating the three variables, the energy, mass and temperature of an ideal gas is obtained. It is found that energy of an ideal gas is equal to the product of mass and temperature of the gas. This gives a direct relationship between the energy, mass and temperature of the gas. Out of the three variables, the energy, mass and temperature of an ideal gas, if one of the parameters is held constant, the other two variables can be measured. At a constant temperature, when the power or energy is stabilized, the increase in the mass of the gas may affect the new works and an engine can therefore be prevented from overheating.

Assessment of rock slope stability by probabilistic-based Slope Stability Probability Classification method along highway cut slopes in Adilcevaz-Bitlis(Turkey)

Rock slope stability is of great concern along highway routes as stability problems on cut slopes may cause fatal events as well as loss of property.In rock slope engineering,stability evaluations are commonly performed by means of analytical or numerical analyses,principally considering the factor of safety concept.As a matter of fact,the probabilistic assessment of slope stability is progressively getting popularity due to difficulties in assigning the most appropriate values to design parameters in analytical or numerical methods.Additionally,the effect of heterogeneities in rock masses and discontinuities on the analysis results is minimized through the probabilistic concept.In this study,slope stability of high and steep sedimentary rock cut slopes along a state highway in AdilcevazBitlis(Turkey) was evaluated on the basis of probabilistic approach using the Slope Stability Probability Classification(SSPC) system.The probabilistic assessment indicates major slope stability problems because of discontinuity controlled and discontinuity orientation independent mass movements.Almost all studied cut slopes suffer from orientation-independent stability problems with very low stability probabilities.Additionally,the probability of planar and toppling failures issignificantly high with respect to the SSPC system.The stability problems along the investigated rock slopes were also verified by field reconnaissance.Remedial measures such as slope re-design and reinforcement at the studied locations should be taken to prevent hazardous events along the highway.On the other hand,the probabilistic approach may be a useful tool during rock slope engineering to overcome numerous uncertainties when probabilistic and analytic results are compared.

Determination of Watershed Boundaries in Turkey by GIS Based Hydrological River Basin Coding

A study was performed to develop hydrological river basin coding for Turkish river basins using the pfafstetter coding system. The coding system developed in this study is based on the combination of ECRINS and pfafstetter methods. River Basin District concepts were incorporated in this method so that it can be applicable to the management of Turkish River Basins. Developed hydrological river basin coding system is flexible, versatile and fits to all types of basins in Turkey. In order to show the efficiency of the coding system, it was applied to three river basins each of which has different hydrological and topographical features from the others. The basins used for the application of the coding system have complex features such as being transboundary basins, or being coastal basins whose discharge is not joining to the main drainage system, or being a closed basin discharging to an inland lake. Using the developed hydrological river basin coding defines river basin boundaries accurately, preventing conflicts in sectorial water allocation that are caused by uncertainty in the locations of water sources, producing a base for determining water potential and estimating extreme hydrological events of the basin, producing a basis for the prevention of water disputes among stakeholders within the basin, and helping implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at basin level.

The Hydrochemical Characteristics of a Stressed Sand-Gravel Aquifer: Kazan Plain, Ankara, Turkey

Over-exploitation and sand-gravel mining affect groundwater resources in terms of both quantity and quality. Groundwater level and well yields in and around the sand-gravel pits significantly decrease. Sand-gravel mining also changes the turbidity levels and temperature of groundwater. Reduction and destruction of valuable aquifers are significant issues. In this case, the natural state of the aquifer disappears. The Kazan Plain in central Turkey is a dramatic example of these kinds of results. The productive sand-gravel aquifer in the Kazan plain has been substantially damaged due to intensive sand-gravel mining since the 1980s. Additionally, over-exploitation has caused notable declines in groundwater levels, particularly in the 2000s. This study focuses on the hydrogeochemical situation of the Kazan Plain alluvium aquifer after intensive sand-gravel mining and over-exploitation. Groundwater samples were collected seasonally in 2015, five years after the over-exploitation and heavy sand-gravel mining. The decline reached 20 m (about half of the saturated thickness of the sand-gravel aquifer) in the region where the intensive groundwater abstraction lasted until 2010. Some quarries continued to operate until 2010, but after that mining activity continued only at a minimum level. Today, groundwater quality has been significantly degraded due to the over-exploitation of sand-gravel mining and also the cessation of recharge from fresh river water.