The creation of a better tool to predict rock erosion in spillway channels

The is a need to improve the understanding of how erosion on multiple rocks happens, and create a more reliable way to assess its risks, since most experiments have focused on how single rocks are removed. Penghua Teng at Luleå Technical University are studying this, and will present current results on the 25th of April in this lunch webinar.

In Sweden, spillways often have channels made of natural or excavated rock, which are expected to withstand water flow. However, over time or after multiple floods, the rock can erode.

Previous research has mainly used semi-theoretical methods to study this erosion, but these methods come with uncertainties, since the more complex process of multiple rocks being eroded together is rarely studied.

This project aims to close that gap by developing a better tool to predict rock erosion in spillway channels. The goal is to improve understanding of how erosion happens and create a more reliable way to assess its risks.