Summary of SAM Capabilities
SAM considers only one cross section, not a reach, of a river. However, the
geometry of that cross section can be prescribed in several ways. For trapezoidal
channels, either a simple or compound channel can be input. Also, an irregular
channel can be prescribed with station and elevation coordinates.
SAM.hyd
This module calculates normal depth and composite hydraulic parameters for
a cross section with variable roughness. The calculations can be made with a
variety of bed roughness predictors. It will also calculate stable channel
dimensions--channel width, depth and slope-- for a prescribed discharge and
sediment load. The stable channel dimensions calculated in SAM are not
constrained by the external hypothesis advocated by Chang (1980) and others.
Rather, the designer is able to choose from a family of solutions to meet project
constraints. These calculations use analytical equations which include bed
material transport and which separate total hydraulic roughness into bank and
bed components.
SAM.hyd also provides the option of calculating riprap size, either by the
method prescribed in EM 1110-2-1601, "Hydraulic Design of Flood Control
Channels" (USACE 1991, 1994), or through testing the results of the normal
depth calculations against the Shield's Diagram for particle stability.
SAM.sed
This module calculates the bed material sediment discharge rating curve by
size class using hydraulic parameters either calculated in SAM.hyd or user
specified. Several sediment transport functions have been programmed into
SAM.sed, covering a range of riverine conditions. SAM.sed applies the sediment
transport functions at a point thus allowing for no temporal or spatial variability
in the size class distribution.
SAM.yld
SAM.yld calculates sediment yield passing a cross-section during a specified
period of time using the "Flow-Duration Sediment-Discharge Rating Curve
method" described in EM 1110-2-4000, "Sediment Investigations in Rivers and
Reservoirs" (USACE 1989). The time period considered can be a single flood
event or an entire year. In SAM.yld the flow can be specified by either a flow
duration curve or a hydrograph. The sediment discharge rating curve can be
specified as either sediment discharge versus water discharge or sediment
concentration versus water discharge.
3
Chapter 1
Introduction
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