Prediction of sediment transport capacity based on slope gradients and flow discharge

Sediment transport capacity (Tc) is an essential parameter in the establishment of the slope soil erosion model. Slope type is an important crucial factor affecting sediment transport capacity of overland flow, and vegetation can effectively inhibit soil loss. Two new formulae of sediment transport capacity (Tc) are proposed of brown soil slope and vegetation slope in this study and evaluate the influence of slope gradient (S) and flow discharge (Q) on sediment transport capacity of different slope types. Laboratory experiments conducted using four flow discharges (0.35, 0.45, 0.55, and 0.65 L s-1), four slope gradients (3, 6, 9, and 12°), and two kinds of underlying surface (Brown soil slope, Vegetation slope). The soil particle size range is 0.05–0.5mm. The vegetation stems were 2mm in diameter and randomly arranged. The results show that the sediment transport capacity was positively correlated with the flow discharge and slope gradient. The vegetation slope’s average sediment transport capacity is 11.80% higher than the brown soil slope that same discharge and slope gradient conditions. The sensitivity of sediment transport capacity to flow discharge on brown soil slope is higher than that of slope gradient. The sensitivity of sediment transport capacity of vegetation slope to slope gradient is more heightened than flow discharge. The sediment transport capacity was well predicted by discharge and slope gradient on brown soil slope (R2 = 0.982) and vegetation slope (R2 = 0.993). This method is helpful to promote the study of the sediment transport process on overland flow.