Yann Delanoë

Dynamique des sédiments fins de l'estuaire de la Loire sous l'action de la pesanteur

ABSTRACT This paper presents a global approach of the distribution of the cohesive sediments in the estuary of the river Loire in terms of the velocity of the solid phase. The study covers the large range of concentrations observed in situ. It deals with the settling velocity of suspended matter, the hindered settling velocity of intermediate concentration suspensions and the settlement velocity of fluid mud. The settling velocity W is studied as a stochastic variable. The settlement velocity V is scalar as the sediments in a layer of fluid mud fall with no differential velocity. Finally, it has been observed that the hindered settling velocity is a transition between W and V.