Boundary shear stress in asymmetric rectangular compound channels

A series of nine experiments was performed in a physical model of an asymmetric compound channel to quantify the boundary shear stress at the interface of the bed of a main channel and oodplain. Commonly used equations of shear stress distributions across the bottoms of the main channel and oodplain interfaces were analyzed and tested for various types of asymmetric compound channels and their ow conditions. The lateral momentum transfer between the deep main channel and the adjoining shallow oodplains was found to greatly a ect the shear stress distribution at the bottoms of the main channel and the ood plain subsections. Di erent dimensionless ratios of shear stress distributions were obtained and related to the relevant parameters. Some important results concerning the uniformity of the shear stress distribution, which is signi cant in sediment-laden rivers to state the possible locations of erosion and deposition, are presented.