Measuring the impact: new insights into flood-borne large wood collisions with river structures using an isolated sensor-unit

• DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05354-3
• Publication Date: 2022-04-21T08:04:04Z
• Authors: Gabriel Spreitzer; Diego Ravazzolo; Jon Tunnicliffe; Heide Friedrich
• Keywords: Impact; Weir; Channelized; Hydraulic structure

Abstract Large Wood (LW) transported during floods or channelized mass flows poses a high risk for engineered structures, often leading to significant damage total failure of the impacted structure. To date little is known about impact magnitudes caused by LW collisions. better control such interactions, understanding transport dynamics and forces required. The present laboratory study employs state-of-the-art sensor units installed in scaled logs capture acceleration data from collisions waterborne with 2 in-stream structures—bridge pier retention structure—each providing different examples rigid systems. Through precise measurements duration (stopping time), resultant can be calculated. Here, first time, were quantified stream environment based on inertial frame object causing impact, rather than more commonly used instrumented structure approach. High-resolution accelerometer compared conventional analytical (force balance) approaches. They revealed need accurate inertia appropriately account prevailing hydraulic flow conditions effects interactions fluvial environments. Although log velocity stopping time are crucial parameters assessing forces, still elusive due limitations available sensing techniques. By presenting proof-of-concept results, this contributes an improved floods. Based these encouraging we recommend sensor-based field studies future, needed design resilient structures.