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ABSTRACT
Sediment
transport in rivers involves complex interaction between numerous
inter-related variables. Empirical methods emphasize only a certain
number of parameters that are considered to be more relevant by their
developers. In the past, a large number of sediment transport
equations were developed using data derived from laboratory
experiments with shallow flows.
In
this study, four commonly used bed load equations namely Einstein,
Einstein-Brown, Meyer-Peter-Muller and Shields and four total
bed-material load equations, Ackers-White, Engelund-Hansen, Graf and
Yang were used to evaluate the sediment transport rates for Malaysian
rivers. A total of 108 sets of data were collected from the Pari,
Kinta and Raia Rivers in Ipoh, Perak, the Kerayong River in Kuala
Lumpur and Kulim River in Kulim, Kedah. These data were analysed and
evaluated using the above- mentioned eight equations. Comparison of
discrepancy ratios i.e. the ratio of computed transport rate over
measured values, were done and the results showed that the Ackers-White
equation yielded the highest evaluation with 76 % followed by the
Yang, Graf and Engelund-Hansen equation at 50 %, 48 % and 46 %
respectively.
Subsequently,
four sediment transport equations for Malaysian rivers, namely
equations 6.13b, 6.14a, 6.16f and 6.17f were developed using a
computer software, Statistical Products and Services Solutions (SPSS).
The same set of data were then used for evaluation of the equations
developed. The result shows highest percentage of discrepancy ratio is
obtained for Raia River at 71 %, 67 % and 76 % using equations 6.13b,
6.14a and 6.17 f respectively. For equation 6.16f, the Pari River
yielded the highest at 57 %.
Overall,
the Raia River showed outstanding results using the equations
developed. This augurs well for further research on sediment transport
in Malaysian rivers.
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