Dynamic transport of river ice

Abstract

Abstract Existing ice jam theories, which consider the static equilibrium of a floating ice mass in a river, can predict ice jam profiles. These theories, however, cannot be used to describe the transport of river ice and the process of ice jam initiation. In this paper, a theoretical model for the dynamic transport of river ice is formulated. The model can be used to describe the initiation and evolution of ice jams. A one-dimensional numerical scheme is developed for solving the governing equations. A set of numerical examples are presented to illustrate the application of the model and factors that affect the ice jam formation. The analysis shows that ice jams usually occur as a result of ice mass convergence.