Iranian Water Research Journal

Iranian Water Research Journal

Evaluation of the equations for concentration distribution of suspended sediment in open channels

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Abstract
Knowledge of the suspended sediment distribution is important for calculating suspended load in streams and rivers, because in the large depth flows, the suspended load comprises up to about 80% of the total load. Until now, many equations have been proposed by researchers for estimating the suspended sediment distribution in open channels. In this study, these equations have been assessed and the best equation has been selected among 9 empirical equations by using statistical analysis. For this purpose, the most reliable experimental data have been used. The results showed that among considered equations, the Einstein and Chien’s equation (developed in 1952) had the most agreement with the experimental data (RMSE=0.048, R2=0.988, EF=0.988, and ME=0.086) and presented the most accurate estimation of suspended sediment distribution. Inversely, the results showed that the McTigue’s equation and Willis’s equation had the least accuracy and don’t recommend using them for estimating the suspended sediment distribution in open channels.

  • Receive Date 30 April 2012
  • Revise Date 28 June 2012
  • Accept Date 24 July 2012
  • Publish Date 22 June 2014