Optimizing the Spacing of Submerged Vanes across Rivers for Stream Bank Protection at Channel Bends

This study developed a methodology by which to determine the optimal spatial distribution of submerged vanes positioned across a river channel to protect the stream bank from erosion. The methodology is based on an improved model for estimating the interaction between a row of vanes and the banks of the channel. The results show that the optimal spatial distribution of vanes is related primarily to the radius of the channel curve and the width of the channel. The sediment Froude number and angle of flow to the vanes were shown to have far less effect. The best results were obtained when the spacing between vanes in a row increased gradually outward from the target bank at an average ratio of approximately 1.2. This provides a handy guideline for the preliminary layout of vane arrays.