The 6th Int. Conf.

on Hydroscience and Engineering (ICHE-2004), May 30-June 3, Brisbane, Australia

THE EFFECT OF THE SUBMERGENCE LEVEL ON THE RESISTANCE OF GROYNES

AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

Mohamed F. M. Yossef1

ABSTRACT
In this study, the resistance of groynes is investigated for different submergence levels. For this
reason, experiments have been conducted in a physical model with a scale of 1:40 for a schematised
river reach, which is based on the geometry of the Dutch River Waal. Four electromagnetic
flowmeters (EMF) were employed in order to obtain the horizontal velocity components. Transverse
velocity profiles for all test cases were measured. As the tests in this study were dedicated to
investigating the effect of submergence level on the flow in the groynes region, all test cases were
chosen to guarantee submerged flow conditions. From the analysis of the effect of submergence, it
was possible to devise a relation between the blockage by a groyne and the effective roughness in
the groynes region. Such a relation would allow an estimate to the effect the groynes on the effective
roughness of the river as well as an assessment to the effect of lowering the crest level of existing
groynes.

1.

INTRODUCTION

Groynes are structures constructed in rivers at an angle to the flow direction in order to deflect the
flow away from critical zones. They serve to maintain a suitable channel for the purpose of flood
control, bank protection and to improve navigation conditions. On the one hand, the groynes
enhance the velocity in the main channel. On the other hand, the region between the groynes is
either a dead zone during emerged conditions, or a slow flow zone during submerged flow
conditions. This velocity difference leads to the formation of a mixing layer, through which,
exchange of mass and momentum between the groyne fields (slow stream) and the main channel
(fast stream) takes place.
The last few years have seen a number of experimental work to study the details of the flow
near groynes, e.g. Tominaga et al. (2001), Uijttewaal et al. (2001), Kurzke et al. (2002), and Yossef
& Uijttewaal (2003). Owing to the efforts of those researchers, the hydrodynamics of the flow near
groynes have been gradually clarified. However, an important question remains to answer for the
river manager when attempting to assess the conveyance capacity of a river with groynes. This
question is; what is the resistance of the groynes region during flood conditions? A closely related
question arises from the plans to lower the existing groynes along the Rhine branches in the
Netherlands (see Silva et al., 2001) is: what is the effect of lowering the crest level of the existing
groynes on the resistance of the groynes region?
1

PhD candidate, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology
P.O. Box 5048, NL-2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands ( M.F.Yossef@ct.tudelft.nl)

In order to answer these questions; a thorough understanding to the effect of submergence

level on the flow in the groynes region is required. Furthermore, to be able to investigate the effect
of lowering the groynes it is important to assess the effect of different submergence levels on the
resistance of groynes. Accordingly, all test cases presented in this study were chosen to guarantee
submerged flow conditions. The objective of this study was to devise a formulation to represent the
resistance of groynes to the flow that allows us to asses the effect of changing the crest level of
existing groynes on the total roughness in the groynes region.

2.

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT

2.1. Setup
A physical scale model was built in the laboratory for Fluid Mechanics of Delft University of
Technology. The total model measured 5.0 m in width and 30 m in length. The model consisted of a
schematised river reach, which was based on the geometry of the Dutch River Waal. In the lateral
direction, the model represented half of the river width with a geometrical scale of 1:40. Groynes
were constructed on a shallower part. In the full test series four different types of groynes were
implemented, see Uijttewaal et al. (2002). Figure 1, shows part of the set-up, showing a schematised
top view of the fourth groyne field in which the measurements were performed. The model bed is
fixed and flat in the main channel; and it is sloping towards the bank in the area between the
groynes.
0.15 m

4.5 m
0.75 m

4th groyne
field

5th groyne
field

1:30

3rd groyne
field

2.0 m
1:3

0.08 m
1:2
0.25 m

(a)

v-direction

section: A

2.25 m

u-direction

3.0 m

(b)

total flume length = 30 m

Figure 1: Experimental set-up, for each experiment five identical groynes were implemented; (a) top
view with indication of the velocity measurements locations. (b) cross-sectional view.
In this study, we will consider only one of the tested groyne types, which represents the
standard groyne as it is typically found in the Dutch River Waal (type-A). It is a straight dike with a
horizontal crest perpendicular to the riverbank with slopes of 1:3 on all sides, see Figure 1b. For all
the tested cases; Froude number (Fr) was small enough to ensure subcritical flow condition (see

Table 1); and Reynolds number (Re) was guaranteed to be high enough to ensure a fully developed
turbulent flow in both the main channel region (Re 6104) and the groyne fields region (Re 104).
In a separate test, the bottom roughness was evaluated for the main channel region and Nikuradses
roughness coefficient ks was estimated: ks 6.27.10-4 m.
Four devices of electromagnetic flowmeters (EMF) were used, measuring the velocity in the
horizontal plane, u- and v-components. In accordance with findings from earlier investigation
(Yossef & Uijttewaal, 2003), the velocity measurements were chosen to take place along section-C
(Figure 1a), to ensure that the upstream groyne is not affecting the velocity profile. Section-C was
located at a distance of 2.25 m from the upstream groyne and extended 2.6 m in the transverse
direction. Velocity was measured in 12 lateral points at mid-depth. At each point, the measurement
lasted for a period of 360 seconds with a sampling rate of 10 Hz.
2.2. Experimental conditions and procedures
All test cases presented in this study were chosen to guarantee submerged flow conditions. Four
different cases were considered; the hydraulic conditions of which are given in Table 1.
The procedures for running the experiment were as follows; the downstream tailgate was
adjusted to a certain level and the model was fed with water from the upstream side. From the
inflow control valves, the discharge was adjusted to highest discharge and then reduced to the lowest
on steps. Keeping the tailgate elevation constant and varying the discharge, we eventually vary both
the water surface slope and the flow depth to produce different hydraulic conditions to produce test
cases from 01 to 06 in Table 1. The hydraulic conditions could be represented best in the form of
Froude number (Fr = u/gh).
After a complete set had been completed, the tailgate was set to a different elevation and the
same procedures are repeated to establish a new set. Before carrying out the measurements, the flow
was given enough time to adjust to the new discharge condition. In each test, the water level was
measured and the horizontal depth-averaged velocity was recorded using EMF at section-C as in
Figure 1.
Table 1: Hydraulic conditions for all test cases
Test
case
01
02
03
04
05
06

3.

Q
(m3/s)
0.383
0.333
0.278
0.220
0.162
0.102

Ht (cm)
35.30
34.34
33.33
32.15
30.44
29.03

SA
hg/Ht
0.59
0.61
0.63
0.66
0.71
0.76

Fr
0.19
0.17
0.16
0.14
0.11
0.08

SB
Ht (cm) hg/Ht Fr Ht (cm)
28.36 0.79 0.29 33.01
27.44 0.82 0.28 32.56
------- 31.59
------- 30.44
------- 29.04
------- 27.37

SC
hg/Ht
0.64
0.65
0.68
0.71
0.76
0.83

Fr
0.21
0.19
0.18
0.15
0.12
0.09

Ht (cm)
30.50
29.59
28.58
27.5
26.09
24.54

SD
hg/Ht
0.71
0.74
0.78
0.82
0.88
0.97

Fr
0.25
0.23
0.21
0.19
0.15
0.10

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

3.1. Flow pattern

When the groynes are submerged the flow in the groyne fields region could be characterised as a
slow velocity region. The momentum transfer by the water flowing over the groynes is sufficient to
balance the momentum transfer through the mixing layer, that otherwise would have caused a

0.6

Velocity (m/s)

Velocity (m/s)

recirculating flow. It should be also noted that the flow over the groynes hinders the horizontal
recirculation, ultimately causing it to disappear when reaching a high enough submergence level; for
further details on the dynamics of the flow near groynes see Yossef & Uijttewaal (2003).

0.4
0.2
0.0

0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

Y distance (m)
SA01

SA02

SA03

SA04

3.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

5.0

Y distance (m)
SA05

SA06

SB01

(b)
0.6

Velocity (m/s)

Velocity (m/s)

(a)

SB02

0.4
0.2
0.0

0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

Y distance (m)
SC01

SC02

SC03

SC04

3.0

Y distance (m)
SC05

SC06

(c)

SD01

SD02

SD03

SD04

SD05

SD06

(d)
Figure 2: Transverse velocity profile for test cases SA, SB, SC, and SD line without markers
indicates the bed level.

1.2

u/u mc

channel side

groyne fields side

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1

1.5

2.5
3
3.5
Y distance (m)

4.5

SA01

SA02

SA03

SA04

SA05

SA06

SB01

SC01

SC02

SC03

SC04

SC05

SC06

SB02

SD01

SD02

SD03

SD04

SD05

SD06

Figure 3: Normalised velocity profiles; velocity is normalised by the main channel velocity (u
mc).

The transverse velocity profiles for the different submerged flow conditions were measured
and plotted in Figure 2, where we can observe that both the velocity in the main channel and the
groyne fields changes, whereas, the mixing layer width is nearly constant in all cases. The profiles
are then normalised by dividing the velocities by the velocity in the main channel, the resulting
normalised profiles are collected and given in Figure 3, where we can observe that, the mean
velocity in the groynes region (ugr) varies from 10 to 40% of the main channel velocity (umc). This
variation is thought to be due to the difference in resistance that a groyne poses to the flow in
accordance with the blockage ratio (hg/Ht) as given in Table 1.
To evaluate the resistance in the groyne fields region we need to estimate the resistance of the
groynes. There are two approaches to represent the resistance of the groynes. The first approach is to
consider the groyne as a submerged weir, and the second is to consider that the groyne acts as a
large obstacle i.e. a roughness element. In the following two sections, we discuss these two
approaches.

3.2. Groynes as a submerged weir

In this approach the discharge per unit width (q) over one groyne is represented in a weir form (see
Mosselman & Struiksma, 1992). The formula reads:
m ( H t hg ) 2 g h
q= d
0

if H t > hg
else

(1)

where: md = weir discharge coefficient; Ht = total water depth; hg = groynes height; and h =
pressure drop over a groyne (h = Si), with S as the spacing between two groynes and i is the slope
in the main channel region
It is assumed here that the losses in the groynes region is solely due to the groynes, and the
hydraulic gradient is zero between two successive groynes. This assumption could not be verified
from the experiments as no water level drop was observed over the groynes. Furthermore, it is
assumed that the water level in the groynes region is equal to the main-channel water level
immediately downstream of the groyne.
After filling in Eq. 1, it was possible to deduce the discharge coefficient md for each test case.
The calculated md in this approach was found to be more than unity for all cases. This result
contradicts the fact that the maximum value of md should not exceed unity for any type of weir.
Apparently, the discharge in the groynes region is more than that passes over a weir with the same
hydraulic conditions of a groyne. This could be attributed to substantial transverse momentum
exchange from the fast stream in the main channel. Thus, the weir approach was dropped out and the
second approach was considered.
3.3. Groynes as a roughness element
In this approach, the groynes are modelled as a roughness element. Consequently, we could assume
that the resistance in the groynes region has two different sources; the first is the bed resistance, and
the second is the resistance due to the groynes. A formulation of the resistance of the groyne could
follow the form of a drag resistance, see for example Aya et al. (1997). Accordingly, the momentum
balance for a unit area in the groynes region away from the mixing layer could be written in the
following form:

3.0
2.5

CD

2.0

SA
SB

1.5

SC
SD

1.0
0.5
0.0
0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Blockage ratio (h g /H t )

Figure 4: Relation between drag coefficient of a groyne and submergence stage for all test cases.

h
1
g 2
=
+
ghi
ugr
CD g ugr2
2


2
Cbase
S








total resistance
in the groynes region bed resistance groynes resistance

(2)

where: i is the local water surface slope; h is the local flow depth; Cbase is the base Chzy coefficient
(could be approximated to be similar to Chzy coefficient in the main channel); ugr is the velocity in
the groynes region away from the mixing layer; hg is the groyne height; S is the spacing between two
groynes; and CD is a representative drag coefficient for the groynes.
We must mention here that the drag coefficient CD in Eq. 2 is not a constant as a standard drag
coefficient should be. Yet, CD here is a characteristic drag coefficient that accounts for the resistance
of the groynes and it is a function of both the hydraulic conditions and the blockage that a groyne
poses to the flow.
50
3.717

h
CD
= 76.422 g
2
H t
Fr

C D /F r

40
30

SA
SB
SC
SD

R 2 = 0.9238

20
10
0
0.0

0.2

0.4
0.6
Blockage ratio (h g /H t )

0.8

1.0

Figure 5: Relation between the blockage by a groyne and its drag coefficient CD normalised by Fr2.
Data points are defined in legend, solid line is a data-fit line for [CD/Fr2 = a (hg/Ht)b], with a = 76.4
and b = 3.7

During the test it was possible to measure both the velocity umc and flow depth h. With the
knowledge of the bed roughness height ks, it is then possible to deduce the local slope i in the main
channel for every test case. Assuming that the water surface slope in the groynes region is similar to
that in the main channel, all parameters in Eq. 2 can be filled and it is hence possible to deduce CD
for every test case. Figure 4 shows the calculated CD plotted against the blockage ratio (hg/Ht).
The calculated values for CD shown in Figure 4 include the effect of the different hydraulic
conditions for each test case. To eliminate that effect, the values of the estimated CD were divided by
Froude number squared (Fr2) (see Fenton 2003). The result of this operation is presented in Figure 5,
from which we can observe that; excluding the last point estimated from test case (SD06) which has
a blockage ratio near unity; the calculated (CD/Fr2) shows an obvious increasing trend with
increasing blockage ratio (hg/Ht).
Many functions could fit the data points in Figure 5, e.g. linear, exponential, or power.
Nevertheless, taking into consideration that the flow over a groyne could be as well represented in
the form of flow over a weir, the relation between the resistance of a groyne and the blockage ratio
would be better represented in the form of a power relation that takes the form;
hg
CD
=
a

Fr2
Ht

(3)

where: a and b are constants, and Fr is calculated for the main channel region. The result of the
fitting is shown in Figure 5 as a solid line, where the constants a and b were found to equal 76.4, and
3.72 consecutively
3.4. Effective roughness in the groynes region
As we mentioned before, it is of a great interest for the river manger/modeller to be able to
schematise the groynes in a 1-D model by, for example, using an effective roughness in the groynes
region. This effective roughness is representative to the additional resistance by groynes.
Utilising Eq. 2, we can further develop a definition for an effective Chzy roughness
coefficient (Ceffective) as a function of the groynes crest height. Here, Ceffective is a representation of the
total resistance in the groynes region. We first rewrite Eq. 2;
g
2
effective

u gr2 =

h
g 2 1
ugr + CD g
2
Cbase
2
S

2
u gr

(4)

hence, the definition for Ceffective takes the following form:

Ceffective =

1
h
1
1
+
CD ( g )
2
Cbase 2 g
S

(5)

with CD deduced from Eq. 3, and the values of a and b estimated from the laboratory data in
Figure 5, it is possible to calculate Ceffective for any given prototype conditions, see Figure 6.
Furthermore, it is now possible to assess the effect of lowering the crest level of the existing
groynes on the resistance of the groynes region. This could be achieved by evaluating the rate of
change of Ceffective with changes in (hg/Ht). For example, lowering the crest level of the existing
groynes along the River Waal by 1.0 m will reduce the blockage ratio during design floods from a
value of around 0.6 to a value of around 0.5. Such a measure would lead to increasing the effective

Chzy coefficient Ceffective by approximately 25%, for a Froude number around a value of 0.2 (see
Figure 6). This increase in Chzy coefficient in addition to the increase of the flow area could be
used to evaluate the reduction in design flood level.
4. SUMMERY AND CONCLUSIONS
Velocity measurements were carried out in a physical model of a river with groynes based on the
geometry of the Dutch River Waal. Identifying the resistance of the groynes to the flow was of main
interest. The effect of different blockage ratios was studied by changing the flow depth. Two
formulations to represent groynes were investigated. The first was to consider the groyne as a
submerged weir and the second was to consider that it acts as a large obstacle.
0.6
0.4 0.35 0.3
0.5

Fr

0.95 0.9

0.85

0.75
0.8

0.2

0.25

0.15

0.1

0.7
0.65

0.4

0.6

0.55 0.5
0.45

0.3
0.4 0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.2
0.95
0.1
0.05

0.15

CCer
effective
Cbase

0.25

0.35

0.9
0.45

0.85 0.8 0.75 0.7 0.65 0.6 0.55 0.5

0.55

0.65

0.75

0.45
0.85

0.95

Blockage ratio ( hg/Ht)

Figure 6: Contour plot for the effective Chzy coefficient in the groynes region as a function of the
blockage ratio and Froude Number; Ceffective is divided by Cbase, (Cbase = 50 m0.5/s).
When using the weir formulation we arrived at a discharge coefficient md more than unity.
This could be attributed to a substantial transverse momentum exchange from the main channel (fast
stream) to the groynes region (slow stream).
The representation of the groynes as a large roughness element led to the definition of a drag
coefficient for groynes (CD) that is a function of both the blockage ration (hg/Ht) and Froude Number
squared (Fr2) see Eq. 3. Furthermore, we were able to define an effective Chzy coefficient that is a
function of the base Chzy coefficient, drag coefficient, groyne height and spacing between groynes
(see Eq. 5). Such a definition allows a possible representation of groynes in one-dimensional
mathematical models in addition to a quick assessment to certain river engineering measures.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was financially supported by the Road and Hydraulic Engineering Division (DWW) of
the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. The authors wish to thank M. van
der Wal for his support and M.H. Berg for conducting part of the experiments.

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