Two-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Bed-Load Transport of a Finite-Depth Sediment Layer: Applications to Channel Flushing

Numerical modeling of bed-load transport in shallow flows, particularly oriented toward environmental flows, is an active field of research. Nevertheless, other possible applications exist. In particular, bed-load transport phenomena are relevant in urban drainage systems, including sewers. However, few applications of coupled two-dimensional (2D) shallow-water and bed-load transport models can be found, and their transfer from environmental applications-usually river and floodplain-into sewer applications requires some adaptation. Unlike to river systems, where there is a thick layer of sediment that constitutes a movable riverbed, sewer systems have thin layers of sediment that need to be removed, thus exposing a rigid, nonerodible surface. This problem requires careful numerical treatment to avoid generating errors and instability in the simulation. This paper deals with a numerical approach to tackle this issue in an efficient way that allows large-scale studies to be performed and provides empirical evidence that the proposed approach is accurate and applicable for sewage and channel-flushing problems. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.