Yasuyuki Shimizu

Bio: Yasuyuki Shimizu is an academic researcher from Hokkaido University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sediment transport & Bank erosion. The author has an hindex of 27, co-authored 212 publications receiving 2406 citations.

A new framework for modeling the migration of meandering rivers

Abstract: Many models of river meander migration rely upon a simple formalism, whereby the eroding bank is cut back at a rate that is dictated by the flow, and the depositing bank then migrates passively in response, so as to maintain a constant bankfull channel width. Here a new model is presented, in which separate relations are developed for the migration of the eroding bank and the depositing bank. It is assumed that the eroding bank consists of a layer of fine-grained sediment that is cohesive and/or densely riddled with roots, underlain by a purely noncohesive layer of sand and/or gravel. Following erosion of the noncohesive layer, the cohesive layer fails in the form of slump blocks, which armor the noncohesive layer and thereby moderate the erosion rate. If the slump block material breaks down or is fluvially entrained, the protection it provides for the noncohesive layer diminishes and bank erosion is renewed. Renewed bank erosion, however, rejuvenates slump block armoring. At the depositing bank, it is assumed that all the sediment delivered to the edge of vegetation due to the transverse component of sediment transport is captured by encroaching vegetation, which is not removed by successive floods. Separate equations describing the migration of the eroding and depositing banks are tied to a standard morphodynamic formulation for the evolution of the flow and bed in the central region of the channel. In this model, the river evolves toward maintenance of roughly constant bankfull width as it migrates only to the extent that the eroding bank and depositing bank ‘talk’ to each other via the medium of the morphodynamics of the channel center region. The model allows for both (a) migration for which erosion widens the channel, forcing deposition at the opposite bank, and (b) migration for which deposition narrows the channel forcing erosion at the opposite bank. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Numerical simulation of river meandering with self‐evolving banks

Abstract: [1] In this study, the natural process of river meandering is captured in a computational model that considers the effects of bank erosion, the process of land accretion along the inner banks of meander bends, and the formation of channel cutoffs. The methodology for predicting bank erosion explicitly includes a submodel treating the formation and eventual removal of slump blocks. The accretion of bank material on the inner bank is modeled by defining the time scale over which areas that are originally channel become land. Channel cutoff formation is treated relatively simply by recomputing the channel alignment at a single model time step when migrating banks meet. The model is used to compute meandering processes in both steady and unsteady flows. The key features of this new model are the ability (a) to describe bank depositional and bank erosional responses separately, (b) to couple them to bed morphodynamics, and thus (c) to describe coevolving river width and sinuosity. Two cases of steady flow are considered, one with a larger discharge (i.e., “bankfull”) and one with a smaller discharge (i.e., “low flow”). In the former case, the shear stress is well above the critical shear stress, but in the latter case, it is initially below it. In at least one case of constant discharge, the planform pattern can develop some sinuosity, but the pattern appears to deviate somewhat from that observed in natural meandering channels. For the case of unsteady flow, discharge variation is modeled in the simplest possible manner by cyclically alternating the two discharges used in the steady flow computations. This model produces a rich pattern of meander planform evolution that is consistent with that observed in natural rivers. Also, the relationship between the meandering evolution and the return time scale of floods is investigated by the model under the several unsteady flow patterns. The results indicate that meandering planforms have different shapes depending on the values of these two scales. In predicting meander evolution, it is important to consider the ratio of these two time scales in addition to such factors as bank erosion, slump block formation and decay, bar accretion, and cutoff formation, which are also included in the model.

Numerical Simulation of Relatively Wide, Shallow Channels with Erodible Banks

Abstract: A two-dimensional numerical model was developed to simulate relatively wide, shallow rivers with an erodible bed and banks composed of well-sorted, sandy materials. A moving boundary-fitted coordinate system was used to calculate water flow, bed change, and bank erosion. The cubic interpolated pseudoparticle method was used to calculate flow, which introduced little numerical diffusion. The sediment-transport equation for the streamline and transverse transport was used to estimate bed and bank evolution over time, while considering the secondary flow. Bank erosion was simulated when the gradient in the cross-sectional direction of the banks was steeper than the submerged angle of repose because of bed erosion near the banks. The numerical model reproduced the features of central bars well, such as bar growth, channel widening due to divergence of the flow around the bars, scour holes at the lee of the bars, and the increase of bar size with time. These features were in accordance with the observations for laboratory experiments. It also reproduced the features of braided rivers, such as the generation of new channels and abandonment of old channels, the bifurcation and confluence of channels, and the lateral migration of the channels. The model showed that the sediment discharge rate fluctuated with time, one of the dynamic features observed in braided channels.

Numerical modeling of erosional and depositional bank processes in migrating river bends with self‐formed width: Morphodynamics of bar push and bank pull

Abstract: Meandering rivers display active communication between bank erosion and bar deposition processes. How does this occur? How does the river select its width? To answer these questions, we implement a model for meander migration where both bank processes (erosion and deposition) are considered independently. Bank erosion is modeled as erosion of purely noncohesive bank material damped by natural slump block armoring; channel deposition is modeled via flow-retarded vegetal encroachment. Both processes are tied to a slope-dependent channel forming Shields number; banks with near-bank Shields number below this value undergo deposition, and those above it undergo erosion. Channel-forming Shields number must increase with slope, as dictated by available data and model performance. Straight channel modeling shows that a channel arrives at an equilibrium width from any initial condition. For the channel bend, the river always approaches an asymptotic state where width reduces slowly in time and where bank erosion and deposition occur at nearly equal rates. Before this state is reached, however, the river follows a phase-plane trajectory with four possible regimes: (a) both banks erode, (b) both banks deposit, (c) both banks migrate outward, but with a faster depositing bank (bar push), and (d) both banks migrate outward, but with a faster eroding bank (bank pull). The trajectory of migration on the phase plane depends on initial conditions and input parameters controlling the rate of depositional and erosional migration. All input parameters have specific physical meaning, and the potential to be measured in the field.

Calculation of bed variation in alluvial channels

Abstract: In an effort to develop a simple numerical model to predict the variation of bed topography in real-worked rivers, a depth-averaged numerical model was applied to evaluate the variation of the bed topography in alluvial streams. The model was used to simulate the symmetric and asymmetric meander loops. The simulated results showed good agreement with experimental results. Applications of the model to the development of meso-scale bed configurations in straight channels were also performed. The migration velocity of bars in meandering channels was investigated. In alluvial rivers, the interactions between hydraulic conditions and plan geometries result in different kinds of bed confugurations that are highly dependent on formation, cessation, and migration of bars. The study shows that the 2-dimensional model can predict these phenomena for given hydraulic and geometric conditions, which may be useful in practical engineering works.

Plants as river system engineers

Abstract: I would like to acknowledge three research grants/contracts that are supporting my current research on this theme: Grant F/07 040/AP from the Leverhulme Trust; Grant NE/F014597/1 from the Natural Environment Research Council, UK, and the REFORM collaborative project funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement 282656.

Is the critical Shields stress for incipient sediment motion dependent on channel‐bed slope?

Abstract: Data from laboratory flumes and natural streams show that the critical Shields stress for initial sediment motion increases with channel slope, which indicates that particles of the same size are more stable on steeper slopes. This observation is contrary to standard models that predict reduced stability with increasing slope due to the added downstream gravitational force. Processes that might explain this discrepancy are explored using a simple force-balance model, including increased drag from channel walls and bed morphology, variable friction angles, grain emergence, flow aeration, and changes to the local flow velocity and turbulent fluctuations. Surprisingly, increased drag due to changes in bed morphology does not appear to be the cause of the slope dependency because both the magnitude and trend of the critical Shields stress are similar for flume experiments and natural streams, and significant variations in bed morphology in flumes is unlikely. Instead, grain emergence and changes in local flow velocity and turbulent fluctuations seem to be responsible for the slope dependency due to the coincident increase in the ratio of bed-roughness scale to flow depth (i.e., relative roughness). A model for the local velocity within the grain-roughness layer is proposed based on a 1-D eddy viscosity with wake mixing. In addition, the magnitude of near-bed turbulent fluctuations is shown to depend on the depth-averaged flow velocity and the relative roughness. Extension of the model to mixed grain sizes indicates that the coarser fraction becomes increasingly difficult to transport on steeper slopes.

Turbulence in open-channel flows

Abstract: Part I presents the statistical theory of turbulence, and Part 2 the coherent structures in open-channel flows and boundary layers. The book is intended for advanced students and researchers in hydraulic research, fluid mechanics, environmental sciences and related disciplines. References Index.

The Natural Sediment Regime in Rivers: Broadening the Foundation for Ecosystem Management

Abstract: Water and sediment inputs are fundamental drivers of river ecosystems, but river management tends to emphasize flow regime at the expense of sediment regime. In an effort to frame a more inclusive paradigm for river management, we discuss sediment inputs, transport, and storage within river systems; interactions among water, sediment, and valley context; and the need to broaden the natural flow regime concept. Explicitly incorporating sediment is challenging, because sediment is supplied, transported, and stored by nonlinear and episodic processes operating at different temporal and spatial scales than water and because sediment regimes have been highly altered by humans. Nevertheless, managing for a desired balance between sediment supply and transport capacity is not only tractable, given current geomorphic process knowledge, but also essential because of the importance of sediment regimes to aquatic and riparian ecosystems, the physical template of which depends on sediment-driven river structure and function.

Benchmarking observational uncertainties for hydrology: rainfall, river discharge and water quality

Abstract: This review and commentary sets out the need for authoritative and concise information on the expected error distributions and magnitudes in observational data We discuss the necessary components of a benchmark of dominant data uncertainties and the recent developments in hydrology which increase the need for such guidance We initiate the creation of a catalogue of accessible information on characteristics of data uncertainty for the key hydrological variables of rainfall, river discharge and water quality (suspended solids, phosphorus and nitrogen) This includes demonstration of how uncertainties can be quantified, summarizing current knowledge and the standard quantitative results available In particular, synthesis of results from multiple studies allows conclusions to be drawn on factors which control the magnitude of data uncertainty and hence improves provision of prior guidance on those uncertainties Rainfall uncertainties were found to be driven by spatial scale, whereas river discharge uncertainty was dominated by flow condition and gauging method Water quality variables presented a more complex picture with many component errors For all variables, it was easy to find examples where relative error magnitudes exceeded 40% We consider how data uncertainties impact on the interpretation of catchment dynamics, model regionalization and model evaluation In closing the review, we make recommendations for future research priorities in quantifying data uncertainty and highlight the need for an improved ‘culture of engagement’ with observational uncertainties Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd