Studying effects of secondary flows on bank erosion and failure in curved rivers with application to Saigon River in Vietnam

Program: Collaborative Research Program for Alumni (CRA)

Field: Civil Engineering

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nguyen Quoc Y

Sending University: Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)

Japanese Co-Investigator: Prof. Dr. John WELLS

Japanese University: Ritsumeikan

Year: 2013

Abstract:

Erosion of river banks is one of the serious problems in Vietnam, particularly in Saigon River. This river supplies water to around 15 millions of people in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces. In this study, we investigated one of the topics related to the bank erosion problem in that river. In particular, we focused on interaction between the water flow and the river bed and bank. Such understanding provides information about how the cross-flow structure affect to the erosion of curved portions of the river. We used both numerical simulations and experiments to conduct the study. Flow velocity was measured and simulated along one of the highest curved part of the River, Thanh Da peninsula. The results show strong correlation between intensity of the cross-flow and erosion position at that portion. Results from our research can be used for further investigation of the bank erosion problem in Saigon River and the others as well. I have more research colleagues in Vietnam. My connection to my former supervisor is maintained and strengthened. I have more research facilities as well as research experience and publications. We made to some extend awareness of the academic society and government about the studied problem.