A Study on the Effects of Spur Length and Spur Spacings on Sediment Trapping Capacity of Permeable Spurs

Authors: Shekhar Jyoti Baruah

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37082/IJIRMPS.v14.i3.233153

Short DOI: https://doi.org/hb7rbm

Country: India

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Abstract: Rivers in the north-eastern region of India originate from the Himalayan foothills and transport large quantities of sediment for most of the year. When these rivers enter the Assam valley, a sudden reduction in bed slope causes a rapid decrease in flow velocity, leading to significant sediment deposition on the riverbed. This results in aggradation, reduction of the effective flow area, and formation of mid-channel sandbars. During the monsoon season, high discharges intensify bank erosion due to strong flow impingement on the riverbanks, necessitating effective river training measures. Porcupine screens are widely used for riverbank protection in the region; however, their performance has often been inconsistent. This may be attributed to the absence of standardized design procedures and the limited consideration of site-specific parameters such as flow characteristics and channel geometry. The present study evaluates the relative performance of different porcupine models based on their effectiveness in promoting near-bank sediment deposition. Scaled porcupine models were developed considering channel dimensions and discharge conditions and were tested in an experimental field channel. Bed-level variations within the porcupine fields were measured using a point gauge under different submergence ratios to identify the most effective configurations.

Keywords: Porcupine, Erosion Control, Permeable spur, Velocity reduction, Sediment deposition

Paper Id: 233153

Published On: 2026-06-15

Published In: Volume 14, Issue 3, May-June 2026

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