Suspended load transport

Definition of Suspended load transport: Particles in the water column of a turbulent flow can be carried over long distances as long as the net balance between upward suspending forces and gravity remains positive. This is the common definition for Suspended load transport, other definitions can be discussed in the article

The suspension capacity is the maximum amount which can be carried by a turbulent flow and depends on the energetic balance between buoyancy and gravity.

Sediment concentration profiles typically show a two-layer structure: the inner layer above the bottom is characterized by low-Reynolds conditions (developing turbulence) and high concentrations, while the turbulence in the outer layer is fully-developed and the concentrations are low, typically smaller than 0.1%, corresponding to dilute conditions. Since the inner layer usually is thin, of the order of a few centimetres, it often falls outside the depth range where measurements are collected, and therefore largely remains undetected and little known. The transport capacity of the outer layer is controlled by that of the inner layer.

The main authors of this article are Toorman, Erik and Berlamont, Jean Please note that others may also have edited the contents of this article. Citation: Toorman, Erik; Berlamont, Jean; (2012): Suspended load transport. Available from http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/Suspended_load_transport [accessed on 31-10-2024] For other articles by this author see Category:Articles by Toorman, Erik For other articles by this author see Category:Articles by Berlamont, Jean For an overview of contributions by this author see Special:Contributions/Erik Toorman For an overview of contributions by this author see Special:Contributions/Jean Berlamont