Sediment Grain Movement
I helped collect data during the Grand Canyon Experimental Flood in March and April 1996. Our group, led by Robert Webb of the USGS, documented the reworking of the coarse debris fans that form the rapids of the Grand Canyon using data from radio transmitters embedded in boulders.
As a result of this experience, I have been working on the fluid mechanics and geometry of flow over large particles, trying to determine the forces required to entrain them. I have developed a new mathematical theory to compute the forces necessary to move any shaped sediment grain with any orientation relative to the flow.
I am currently doing some simple laboratory studies using a tilting board to test the theory. I will also use these studies to determine whether the measurements used in the Grand Canyon are adequate to assess the stability of boulders in the field.
I am considering whether to pursue related studies using a laboratory flume.
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My Research Interests |
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Geology Department
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University of Delaware
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