[Rivers-list] New research report on Dam Break Wave of Thixotropic Fluid

[Hubert Chanson]

Dear Colleague

I alert you of the publication of a new refereed research report entitled :
         CHANSON, H., COUSSOT, P., JARNY, S., and TOQUER, L. (2004). "A 
Study of Dam Break Wave of Thixotropic Fluid: Bentonite Surges down an 
Inclined plane." Report No. CH54/04, Dept. of Civil Engineering, The 
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, June, 90 pages (ISBN 
1864997710).

The report may be freely downloaded from the following url :
         http://www.uq.edu.au/~e2hchans/reprints/ch5404.zip      [Click 
PROCEED at ITS-Advisory webpage & Enable  cookies in your browser]

Summary : A Study of Dam Break Wave of Thixotropic Fluid: Bentonite Surges 
down an Inclined Plane
Thixotropic fluids are commonly used in the construction industry, 
industrial applications and the food industry. Related applications include 
some forms of mud flows and debris flows, pasty sewage sludges and some 
wastewater treatment residues. This report describes a basic study of dam 
break wave with thixotropic fluid. Theoretical considerations were 
developed based upon a kinematic wave approximation of the Saint-Venant 
equations for a thixotropic fluid down a prismatic sloping channel. The 
analytical solution of the basic flow motion and rheology equations predict 
three basic flow regimes depending upon the fluid properties and flow 
conditions, including the initial degree of jamming of the fluid. Physical 
experiments were performed with bentonite suspensions. Systematic 
experiments showed four types of flows.Quantitative informations were 
documented in terms of the final fluid thickness, wave front position, wave 
front curvature, side profile of the wave front during motion and after 
stoppage, as well as the flow motion immediately after gate opening. Some 
free-surface instabilities are also discussed and illustrated. It is 
believed that the present study is the first theoretical analysis combining 
successfully the basic principles of unsteady flow motion (i.e. 
Saint-Venant equations) with a thixotropic fluid model, which was validated 
with large-size systematic laboratory experiments.

Regards

Hubert Chanson

Hubert  CHANSON
Reader, Dept. of Civil Engineering
The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
Ph.: (61 7) 33 65 35 16 / 33 65 41 63 - Fax : (61 7) 33 65 45 99
Email: h.chanson at uq.edu.au - Url: http://www.uq.edu.au/~e2hchans
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