Lecture

River Morphology: Rhone Corrections and Hydraulic Construction

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In course

ENV-418: River eco-morphodynamics and bioengineering

The course deals with the interactions between hydraulics, solid transport by hauling and the watercourse space at the origin of the morphology and richness of habitats. Regime theory is presented and the quality of a stream's habitat is assessed. ...

Description

This lecture covers the second correction of the Rhone river from 1936 to 1960, focusing on the eco-morphology of rivers, stream corrections, and the hydraulic construction platform at EPFL. It discusses the challenges faced, such as the stabilization of river beds, strengthening of dikes, and flood safety measures. The instructor presents the evolution of the Rhone river's profile, the disappearance of sand/gravel banks, and the impact of corrections on flood prevention. The lecture also delves into the historical context of river corrections, including the floods of 1935 and 1948. Furthermore, it explores the comparison between the first and second corrections, the longitudinal profiles of the river, and the recent floods that tested the effectiveness of the corrections.

Official source

Related concepts (17)

Hydraulic cylinder

A hydraulic cylinder (also called a linear hydraulic motor) is a mechanical actuator that is used to give a unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. It has many applications, notably in construction equipment (engineering vehicles), manufacturing machinery, elevators, and civil engineering. A hydraulic cylinder is a hydraulic actuator that provides linear motion when hydraulic energy is converted into mechanical movement. It can be likened to a muscle in that, when the hydraulic system of a machine is activated, the cylinder is responsible for providing the motion.

Hydraulic machinery

Hydraulic machines use liquid fluid power to perform work. Heavy construction vehicles are a common example. In this type of machine, hydraulic fluid is pumped to various hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders throughout the machine and becomes pressurized according to the resistance present. The fluid is controlled directly or automatically by control valves and distributed through hoses, tubes, or pipes.

River morphology

The terms river morphology and its synonym stream morphology are used to describe the shapes of river channels and how they change in shape and direction over time. The morphology of a river channel is a function of a number of processes and environmental conditions, including the composition and erodibility of the bed and banks (e.g., sand, clay, bedrock); erosion comes from the power and consistency of the current, and can effect the formation of the river's path.

Hydraulic brake

A hydraulic brake is an arrangement of braking mechanism which uses brake fluid, typically containing glycol ethers or diethylene glycol, to transfer pressure from the controlling mechanism to the braking mechanism. During 1904, Frederick George Heath (Heath Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd.), Redditch, England devised and fitted a hydraulic (water/glycerine) brake system to a cycle using a handlebar lever and piston. He obtained patent GB190403651A for “Improvements in hydraulic actuated brakes for cycles and motors”, as well as subsequently for improved flexible rubber hydraulic pipes.

Hydraulics

Hydraulics () is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids. At a very basic level, hydraulics is the liquid counterpart of pneumatics, which concerns gases. Fluid mechanics provides the theoretical foundation for hydraulics, which focuses on applied engineering using the properties of fluids. In its fluid power applications, hydraulics is used for the generation, control, and transmission of power by the use of pressurized liquids.

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