(a) Why is the Colby 1964 method the preferred way to calculate the
discharge of sands in mid-valley alluvial streams?
Which is the most complete sediment transport formula
to date? Why?
(a) What exponent of velocity in the
sediment discharge-mean velocity relation
qs =
k ρ v n
renders the equation
dimensionally homogenous, with k being a dimensionless coefficient?
(b) What is the physical significance of this fact?
How does form friction affect the shape of the sediment
rating curve?
Is the concept of ultimate sediment concentration correct, or flawed? Explain using
basic sediment transport reasoning.
(a) What is the fundamental parameter in assessing (calculating) sediment
trap efficiency in a reservoir? (b) What is the secondary parameter?
(a) Why is the construction of a sediment retention basin
likely to be counterproductive in an alluvial stream left in its
natural state? (b) How was this fact confirmed by the experience of the
Aguaje de La Tuna flood of 6-7 January 1993?
Why is the assessment of
bridge scour remaining a problem
to this date? State all main reasons.
(a) What was the cause of failure of the pedestrian bridge
Puente Solidaridad in Lima, Peru, in March 2017? (b) Could the
excessive bank erosion that occurred have been averted or controlled in a timely fashion
to avoid the collapse of the abutment?
(a) How did the concept of good flood/bad flood originate?
Bonus questions.
(a) In the Missippippi river flood event of May, 2011,
did the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proceed appropriately
in blowing the levee fuse to enable the
Birds Point-New Madrid floodway to operate as designed?
(b) What was the apparent source of the conflict?
Can societies around the world solve the sediment problem once and
for all?