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On the origin of meandering and braiding in alluvial streams

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

Frank Engelund
Affiliation:
Institute of Hydrodynamics and Hydraulic Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
Ove Skovgaard
Affiliation:
Institute of Hydrodynamics and Hydraulic Engineering, Technical University of Denmark

Abstract

The paper describes a hydrodynamic stability analysis of the flow in an alluvial channel in which dunes have developed along the bed. The purpose is to develop a mathematical model describing the three-dimensional flow leading to instability of an originally straight channel. The model offers an explanation of the fact that some channels tend to meander, others to braid.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1973 Cambridge University Press

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