A Classification of Clay-Rich Subaqueous Density Flow Structures

Journal article (2018)

Authors

N. Hermidas Applied Geology - CEG
Joris T. Eggenhuisen Universiteit Utrecht
Ricardo Silva Jacinto Marine Geosciences Unit Ifremer
S.M. Luthi Applied Geology - CEG
Ferenc Toth University of Szeged
Florian Pohl Universiteit Utrecht
Research Group
Applied Geology (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2018 N. Hermidas, Joris T. Eggenhuisen, Ricardo Silva Jacinto, S.M. Luthi, Ferenc Toth, Florian Pohl
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JF004386
Scaling Turbidite Clay-laden flow Debrite Flow classification Plug flow
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Published Date

01-04-2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Geoscience and Engineering

Research Group

Applied Geology

Abstract

This study presents a classification for subaqueous clay-laden sediment gravity flows. A series of laboratory flume experiments were performed using 9%, 15%, and 21% sediment mixture concentrations composed of sand, silt, clay, and tap water, on varying bed slopes of 6°, 8°, and 9.5°, and with discharge rates of 10 and 15 m3/hr. In addition to the characteristics of the boundary and plug layers, which have been previously used for the classification of open-channel clay-laden flows, the newly presented classification also incorporates the treatment of the free shear layer. The flow states within the boundary and free shear layers were established using calculation of the inner variable, self-similarity considerations, and the magnitude of the apparent viscosity. Based on the experimental observations four flow types were recognized: (1) a clay-rich plug flow with a laminar free shear layer, a plug layer, and a laminar boundary layer, (2) a top transitional plug flow containing a turbulent free shear layer, a plug layer, and a laminar boundary layer, (3) a transitional turbidity current with a turbulent free shear layer, no plug layer, and a laminar boundary layer, and (4) a fully turbulent turbidity current. A connection between the emplaced deposits and the relevant flow types is drawn and it is shown that a Froude number, two Reynolds numbers, and a dimensionless yield stress parameter are sufficient to associate an experimental flow type with a natural large-scale density flow.