Sorting of Bed Load Sediment by Flow in Meander Bends

Abstract

Equilibrium sorting of coarse mobile bed load sediment in meander bends is considered. A theory of two‐dimensional bed load transport of graded material, including the effects of gravity on lateral slopes and secondary currents, is developed. This theory is coupled with a simple treatment of flow in bends, an analytically determined bend shape, and the condition of continuity of each grain size range in transport to describe sorting. The theory indicates that the locus of coarse sediment shifts from the inside bank to the outside bank near the bend apex, as is observed.