Headcut retreat resulting from plunge pool erosion in a 3D landscape evolution model

Headcut retreat produced by plunge pools is represented using existing concepts about this type of erosion. The model estimates retreat rates, given flow, height of the headcut, upstream slope and Manning's roughness, and the relevant soil parameters (erodibility and critical shear stress). The model was analyzed to study its behavior as its input parameters changed, and its output was compared to experimental observations. Next, the plunge pool mechanism was implemented in an existing 3D landscape evolution model (CHILD) that includes other mechanisms of erosion like fluvial erosion and diffusion. The effects of headcut retreat on the landscape and of the landscape on the headcut retreat mechanism were investigated to learn what factors promote gully erosion and the extent of the impact of this type of erosion on the landscape. The results indicate that headcut retreat is most significant in zones comprising either gentle slopes or large headcut heights. Additional hydraulic conditions promoting to headcut retreat due to plunge pool erosion were found.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Flores Cervantes, Javier Homero, 1977-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rafael L. Bras.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28361

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/28361