SEDflume

Overview

Using SEDflume, we can answer your questions on sediment erodibility and scour effects, dredge material stability, the integrity of capping material, and more. SEDflume provides a range of quantitative mobility parameters—including erosion rate and critical shear stress profiles with depth at shear stresses greater than 10 Pa. Our SEDflume laboratory has the capability to measure particle size distribution, density, and organic content for maximum data utility in site investigations. The results can inform conceptual site models and desktop studies and help in numerical model development.  

The SEDflume conceptual diagram, above, shows how the core is analyzed. The collected sediment sample (on right) showcases variation in bedded sediment with depth.

Capabilities

• Erosion and critical shear stress profiles with depth
• Erosion and critical shear stress measurements at high shear stresses (greater than 10 Pa)
• Direct quantification of particle size distribution, density, and loss on ignition for maximum data correlation
• Core collection in water depths exceeding 1,000 m

Applications

• Direct determination of erosion potential of cohesive and noncohesive sediments
• Unique data for use in engineering and environmental studies of sediment stability
• Quantitative evaluation of capping material effectiveness
• Evaluation of dredge material stability

Erosion rates relative to depth within the sample

Sheer Stress and Erosion

For a robust description of the sediment bed, critical shear stress and erosion rates can be correlated with measurements of particle size distribution, bulk density, or other geotechnical parameters. Results can be used to compare disparate areas and depths within the system to determine more or less erodible areas relative to a site average.

Intercore comparison of erosion rate relative to sitewide mean

Supplemental Sediment Testing

Integral maintains two laboratories to support SEDflume and sediment characterization studies. In addition to erodibility testing, Integral operates a Beckman Coulter LS 13-320 laser diffraction particle size analyzer to provide sediment size ranges from 0.4 to 2,000 microns. Samples can also be analyzed for loss on ignition, wet and dry bulk density, and total suspended solids via standard ASTM methods. Data from the physical characterization testing can be used to refine site-specific models.

Sample particle size distribution via laser diffraction

Projects

SEDflume has been used at sites worldwide to provide site-specific sediment information: Mozambique, Africa Bunbury, Perth, Australia Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco Bay, California Lauritzen Canal, San Francisco Bay, California South San Francisco Bay, California Apra Harbor, Guam Augusta Bay, Sicily, Italy Lago Maggiore, Piedmonte, Italy Berry’s Creek Study Area, New Jersey Delaware River Estuary, New Jersey Gowanus Canal, New York Newtown Creek, New York Willamette River, Portland, Oregon Lake Hartwell, Clemson, South Carolina Lower Duwamish River, Seattle, Washington Washington Navy Yard, Anacostia River, Washington, DC

SERVICES

For more details on services, see below.