Assessment of total sediment load in rivers using lateral distribution method

• A new method is proposed to predict the total sediment load in the river numerically.
• For flow computations, the lateral distribution method was used.
• The bedload and suspended load were predicted separately based on the computed flow.
• The new method was applied to sediment transports in the Danube River in Slovakia and the Han River in Korea.

A new numerical model for predicting the total sediment load in the river is presented. The model is comprised of two parts, namely flow and sediment transport parts. The flow analysis is carried out using the lateral distribution method, which distributes the flow and sediment load across the width, based on channel geometry and flow dynamics. To obtain the total sediment load, the bedload and suspended load are predicted separately. Conventional formulas are used for the bedload, and Rousean distribution with an entrainment function is used for the suspended load. Einstein partition is used to separate the form drag component from the total shear stress. The model is applied to the Danube River, a gravel-bed river in Slovakia and the Han River, a sand-bed river in Korea. Predicted distributions of sediment load in the lateral direction are given. The predicted results are compared with those obtained using the 1D approach as well as from measured data. Total sediment load rating curves are presented and the mixture effect of bed-materials is discussed.