Mechanics of Ice Jam Formation in Rivers

A mathematical model is described that is used to determine the maximum ice conveyance capacity of a river channel. Based upon this model, computer programs were developed that enable the ice discharge to be calculated for steady-state flow conditions. For rivers that have uniform flow, the maximum...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ackermann,N L, Shen,H T
Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER NH
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1983
Subjects:
Ice
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA138371
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA138371
Description
Summary:A mathematical model is described that is used to determine the maximum ice conveyance capacity of a river channel. Based upon this model, computer programs were developed that enable the ice discharge to be calculated for steady-state flow conditions. For rivers that have uniform flow, the maximum ice-conveying capacity can be described with a simple function expressed in terms of the size of the ice fragments, channel geometry, and the flow of water in the river. For nonuniform flows, the computer program determines the elevation profile of the surface layer in addition to other flow characteristics, such as the velocity and surface concentration of the ice fragments. The location along this surface profile where the ice conveyance capacity becomes less than the upstream supply is determined and is considered to be the position where a surface ice jam or ice bridge will be formed. (Author)