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DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator

Calculates alluvial river bed shear stress, critical motion threshold, and bedload sediment transport rate using DuBoys shear stress tractive force equation.

Mean flow water depth in river cross-section.

Longitudinal river energy hydraulic gradient.

Median bed sediment grain diameter.

Width of active sediment transporting riverbed.

Mineral density of sediment particles (standard quartz: 2650 kg/m³).

Calculated Result
117041.1 t/day

Daily Bedload Transport

Bed Shear Stress τ0

21.18 Pa

Critical Threshold τc

1.14 Pa

Unit Bedload qs

54.1857 kg/(m·s)

Total Mass Rate

1354.64 kg/s

Stress Ratio τ0/τc

18.57

Calculation Breakdown

  1. Channel Bed Shear Stress & Incipient MotionBoundary Shear τ₀ = ρ·g·h·S = 21.18 Pa; Critical Shields τ_c = 1.14 Pa (τ₀/τ_c = 18.57)
  2. DuBoys Characteristic Transport FactorStraub Coefficient χ = 0.173 / (d50)^0.75 = 0.1276 kg/(m·s·Pa²)
  3. Unit & Total Bedload DischargeUnit Bedload qs = χ·τ₀·(τ₀ - τ_c) = 54.1857 kg/(m·s); Daily Total = 117041.1 metric tonnes/day

Shear & Bedload Yield

Interactive visualization based on your current inputs

Value
0.09.6192939Bed Shear τ0 (Pa)Critical τc (Pa)Excess Shear (Pa)Bedload (t/day) / 10ParameterValue

What Is the DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator?

Calculates alluvial river bed shear stress, critical motion threshold, and bedload sediment transport rate using DuBoys shear stress tractive force equation.

The DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator is an analytical tool in the construction domain designed to evaluate Flow Water Depth (d), Energy Slope / Bed Gradient (S), Median Grain Diameter (d50), Active Bed Width (B), Sediment Grain Density (ρs) using verified mathematical equations. It provides reproducible, deterministic calculations for academic, professional, and practical applications.

How Does the DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator Work?

This calculator computes results by taking input values for Flow Water Depth (d), Energy Slope / Bed Gradient (S), Median Grain Diameter (d50), Active Bed Width (B), Sediment Grain Density (ρs) and applying the governing equation: Calculates boundary bed shear stress τ0, critical shear stress τc, and applies DuBoys transport parameter χ to calculate unit rate qs and total cross-sectional transport.. Values are checked for dimensional consistency and processed through standard arithmetic routines.

DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator Formula & Variables

The core mathematical equation utilized by this calculator is expressed as:

τ0=γwdS,qs=χτ0(τ0−τc),Qs=qs⋅B\tau_0 = \gamma_w d S, \quad q_s = \chi \tau_0 (\tau_0 - \tau_c), \quad Q_s = q_s \cdot B

Calculates boundary bed shear stress τ0, critical shear stress τc, and applies DuBoys transport parameter χ to calculate unit rate qs and total cross-sectional transport.

How to Use the DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator

  1. Enter your value for Flow Water Depth (d) in m.
  2. Enter your value for Energy Slope / Bed Gradient (S).
  3. Enter your value for Median Grain Diameter (d50) in mm.
  4. Enter your value for Active Bed Width (B) in m.
  5. Enter your value for Sediment Grain Density (ρs) in kg/m³.
  6. Verify your input parameters to ensure they match your design or problem specifications.
  7. Review the calculated results, intermediate mathematical steps, and graphical visualization below.

Step-by-Step Example Calculation

Gravel-Sand Bed River Flood Channel

Input Values:

flowDepth:1.8
energySlope:0.0012
medianGrainSize:1.5
channelWidth:25
sedimentDensity:2650
Worked Steps: Calculates boundary shear, critical threshold, unit bedload rate, and daily tonnes yield.

Understanding Your Result

The calculated output gives the primary solution for DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport under the specified conditions. Use this value to compare against standard design tolerances, benchmarks, or reference ranges in construction.

Factors That Affect the Result

  • Input precision and measurement accuracy of Flow Water Depth (d), Energy Slope / Bed Gradient (S), Median Grain Diameter (d50), Active Bed Width (B), Sediment Grain Density (ρs).
  • Operating conditions, environmental parameters, and specific construction tolerances.
  • Boundary constraints and deviations from nominal theoretical model assumptions.

When Should You Use This Calculator?

  • When performing technical analysis or dimensioning related to DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport.
  • To cross-verify manual calculations or theoretical models in construction.
  • For preliminary estimates before conducting detailed field measurements or laboratory testing.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Bedload transport only initiates when boundary shear stress τ0 exceeds critical shear stress τc.
  • For fine sands in deep rivers, bedforms (ripples and dunes) increase form drag, requiring separation of skin friction from total bed shear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between DuBoys and Meyer-Peter & Müller (MPM)?+
DuBoys relies directly on shear stress difference (τ0 - τc), whereas MPM uses dimensionless Shields parameter and excess shear to the 1.5 power. Both are widely used in gravel and coarse sand rivers.
How is critical shear stress estimated for sand?+
Critical shear stress is approximated via Shields curve: τc = θc · (ρs - ρw) · g · d50, where θc is the dimensionless critical Shields parameter (~0.03 to 0.06).

Calculation Accuracy & Reference Note

This calculator implements verified mathematical formulas for DuBoys Bedload Shear Stress Sediment Transport Calculator. Always verify critical results against official domain standards and manufacturer documentation.

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