Author(s): I.A. Benson; E.M. Valentine; C. Nalluri; J.C. Bathurst

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Abstract: Recent laboratory investigations of alluvial channels with loose bed and banks of coarse sand required a method for immobilising or 'freezing' the loose boundary to permit time consuming hydraulic measurements without changes in the boundary geometry. A technique involving spraying separate solutions of sodium silicate and sodium bicarbonate on to a drained channel has been rediscovered, and is reported here. After freezing the changes in geometry and hydraulic roughness are negligible and some results are presented to illustrate this. The equipment and materials costs are low. Furthermore, for freezing a large area the method described has advantages, from a health and safety point of view, over using adhesives or dry cement powder as alternatives.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221680109499831

Year: 2001