Statistical Properties of Sediment Bed Profiles

Abstract

Approximate relationships are derived from the spatial and frequency spectra of a system of propagating waveforms based on the assumption that such a system is adequately represented by a Gaussian random function. Spectral similarity among the bed form data from the field and laboratory is examined, but the results cannot be construed to be conclusive in light of some uncertainties. A bed load transport relationship based on the mean velocity of the shifting waveforms is presented and compares favorably with measured results considering the expected variabilities in sediment transport studies.