Surface Roughness Effects in Near-Bed Turbulence: Implications to Sediment Entrainment

In this study, the characteristics of near-bed turbulence were experimentally investigated for three distinct roughness regimes, namely (1) isolated; (2) wake interference; and (3) skimming. Spherical particles of the same size and density were placed upon a rough sediment bed to simulate the three regimes. Experimental runs for the aforementioned regimes were performed in a tilting water-recirculating flume. Flow measurements atop the spherical particles were performed by means of a 3D laser Doppler velocimeter. The aim of the tests was to provide further evidence that the structure of turbulence is affected throughout the boundary layer by the presence of roughness geometry. The measurements reported here include velocity profiles of the mean streamwise and vertical velocity components and of the Reynolds shear stress distribution. To further quantify the differences in turbulent structure under various surface roughnesses, a quadrant analysis was performed.