After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

• discuss the field of application of the course material
• understand and explain the interactions between flow, sediment transport and biota and their role in shaping the river morphology
• explain the 1-D mathematical framework of the St.Venant-Exner equations for geomorphological processes
• discuss the application range and simplifications of the 1-D mathematical framework of St.Venant-Exner for geomorphological processes
• discuss the derivation and application range of simplified analytical solutions to the St-Venant-Exner equations
• apply the simplified analytical solutions of the St-Venant-Exner equations to real-world problems
• explain the concept of regime geometry (slope, cross-sectional shape) of a river
• identify and discuss the main control parameters determining the regime geometry
• discuss the engineering relevance of regime geometry and regime theory
• explain the derivation of regime theory and the underlying principles
• explain how the role of vegetations is modelled in regime theory
• estimate the natural geometry of a river based on regime theory
• classify the different types of river planforms
• understand the engineering relevance of the river planform
• explain how the type of river planform can be modelled based on regime theory and linear stability analysis
• identify and discuss the main control parameters determining the river planform
• explain how the role of vegetations is modelled in the theory for river planform
• estimate the natural planform of a river
• discuss the engineering relevance of biota for river morphology and engineering applications
• explain qualitatively the mutual interactions between flow and sediment transport at the one hand and vegetation at the other
• discusses modelling approaches for the mutual interactions between flow and sediment transport at the one hand and vegetation at the other

This course concerns bio-geomorphological processes in river. The course consists of two parts.

In the foregoing courses, the focus was on the modelling and quantification of the flow (Hydraulics) and sediment transport (Mixing and Transport Processes). The first part of the course concerns geomorphological processes. It focusses on how the interactions between the flow and the sediment transport shape the morphology of the river.

A first lecture considers geomorphological processes in trained rivers that can be modelled in the 1-D framework for flow and sediment transport developed in the foregoing courses. Analytical solutions are developed that provide insight in the geomorphological processes. A second lecture develops the regime theory for the slope and cross-sectional shape of natural rivers, based on the theory for flow and sediment transport developed in foregoing courses. A third lecture develops a process-based theory for the planform (meandering, anabranching, braiding) of natural rivers.

The second part of the course concerns bio-geomorphological processes. It focusses on how biota modulate the interactions between the flow and sediment transport and thereby influence the river morphology. The main focus is on the influence of vegetation. The mutual interactions between flow and sediment transport at the one hand and vegetation at the other are described and modelling approaches are discussed. The influence of other biota, such as benthic invertebrates and biofilms are also briefly discusses.

The acquisition of the course contents is based on a combination of three methods. The theory is taught in plenary lectures. The students apply the theory in project assignments inspired by real-world configurations. Additional contextualisation of the course content is acquired in the form of assignments that consist in reading recent scientific journal papers.

The lecture ppt slides are made available with comments in the associated TUWEL course. The slides are therefore the only necessary course documents (no script).

The exam is oral. It typically includes a discussion on a project assignment, one of the paper-reading assignments, and content from the course files.

Es gibt vorerst kein Skriptum zur Lehrveranstaltung.

This course builds further on the knowledge on flow processes acquired in the Bachelor course “Hydraulics” (222.564) and on sediment transport processes acquired in the Bachelor course “Mixing and Transport Processes” (222.586).

Successful completion of the lectures (VO) Technical Hydraulics (222.564) and Mixing and Transport Processes (222.586) is higly recommended.