Acoustic Detection Of Sediment Movement

Abstract
Laboratory experiment to investigate the relationship between bed load discharge and the intensity and frequency of the sound produced by inter-particle collision during sediment movement are described. A corresponding theoretical relation hip is also derived. For a single size of particle the frequency of inter-particle collision sound is found to extend over a wide spectrum. Bed load discharge in a laboratory channel is shown to be estimable from the microphone signal to within ± 35% at a 65% confidence level. Accuracy could possibly be increased through improvement of the detecting and recording technique. Limited field experience indicate that difficulties would be experienced with mixture of sizes and extraneous noise in rivers.

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