Flow and clay erosion data taken and processed at SAFL in a grid-turbulence tank Fall 2021-Spring 2022

Abstract

Here we present a data set containing raw imaging and processed data of clay erosion and near-bed turbulence. This data set supports our study of the impact of salinity and consolidation on the microstructure and erosion threshold of cohesive sediments. The flow and erosion measurements were taken inside a grid-turbulence tank at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. We set up the water salinity at a prescribed concentration in part-per-thousands and two clay consolidation conditions (unconsolidated and consolidated after 17 hours) for each experimental case. Here we incorporate detailed near-bed turbulence measurements to quantify the erosive effect of the turbulent water flow. We also include laponite (smectite clay)'s surface erosion from laser-induced fluorescence and image processing.