Incipient Motion of Bivalve Shells on Sand Beds under Currents

摘要

Hydrodynamic forces on a solitary bivalve shell, resting over a sand bed, are analyzed to determine the critical shear stress for the condition of incipient motion including the effect of turbulent fluctuations. Three types of shells, namely Coquina Clam, Cross-barred Chione and Ponderous Ark, were tested experimentally for the condition of incipient motion. The results obtained using the present model agree satisfactorily with the experimental data.