Strength and erosion mechanism of soft bedrock under high shear stresses

Abstract

Bedrock erosion plays a critical role in mountain river channel evolution, especially, where there are hydro-projects with high velocity flow conditions. In this study, laboratory experiments are carried out to investigate strength and erosion mechanism of soft bedrock under high shear stresses by high velocity open channel flows. Prototype bedrock from the upper reaches of Yangtze River is employed as testing samples. New observed dataset is generated concerning the flow, bedrock strength and evolution of bedrock erosion, which can be exploited to evaluate bedrock erosion rate and test mathematical bedrock erosion models.