Estimating the deformation of river bed using dimensionless geometric parameters and mathematical model

The river channel cut into an alluvial substrate constantly adapts to changes in water flow and sediment transport. This paper presents a new approach to determine the magnitude of channel deformation based on the definition of dimensionless spatial parameters of channel deformation. The new approach’s applicability is evaluated by experimental studies on the Željeznica River in the Sarajevo Field in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. The morphological changes of the channel over a period of ten years were analyzed using dimensionless parameters of the channel geometry. A numerical analysis of changes in the channel of the Željeznica River was carried out using a mathematical model and a selected equation for sediment transport. Sensitivity analysis of the model parameters for channel deformation and statistical reliability analysis of the numerical model showed a good agreement between the modeled and observed values of channel deformation parameters during the analyzed period.