Accretion

Haseeb-uz-zaman
2006-CE-28
Phenomenon:

Retrogression and accretion are two temporary

phenomenons exactly opposite to each others having
different effects on the barrage.
So in order to discuss accretion one should have a firm
grip over retrogression.
We will study both of them comparatively.
Definitions:
Retrogression:
It is an artificial process in which water is
deficient in silt loads on u/s side and picks
up silt loads from the d/s bed to make up its
deficiency. It results in scouring
Accretion:
It is reverse of retrogression in which silt
loads are deposited on the bed of river. It
usually occur on u/s side but it may occur on
d/s side after the retrogression cycle is
complete. It results in Silting.
Explaination and causes :
The root cause of both retrogression and accretion is
same.
Due to the construction of weir; back water effects
occurs.(Back water effects: The raise in surface
elevation of flowing water on u/s from and as a result
of an obstruction to flow.)
i. It increases the depth of water on u/s side
ii. Water bounces and tend to reverse its direction of
flow after striking the weir.
• Both these effects decreases the velocity of water
and eventually results in the deposition of silt loads
on u/s side(accretion).
Explaination and causes :

But due to various characteristics of flowing water and

channel; water has a natural tendency to carry certain
amount of silt loads.
So the deficiency in amount of silt in u/s water should
have to be supplemented by some means.
Therefore water overflowing the barrage(having less
silt) picks up silt from d/s bed(retrogression).
Cycles of Retrogression and Accretion:
As we have discussed it earlier that both retrogression
and accretion are temporary processes. It may occurs
for the first few years after which the river bed often
recovers their previous level.
HOW IT HAPPENS ::::::::::> The phenomenon is
temporary because the river adapts to the new
conditions of flow created by barrage within few years
then the water flowing over the weir will have normal
silt loads an the river will said to be in REGIME.
Now the d/s bed where retrogression had already
happened has greater depth which results in decrease
Cycles of Retrogression and Accretion:
in velocity . The silt loads will then be deposited on the
downstream side(accretion) to recover the
retrogressed bed to the point of equilibrium.
Values of retrogression and Accretion:
Retrogression value is min for a flood discharge and max
for a low discharge but vice-versa for accretion.
The value of retrogression vary from 2 feet to 8.5 ft.
However there is no accurate method for calculating the
values of accretion and retrogression.
Importance in barrage design:

While deciding the d/s level the retrogression and

accretion both are imp factors.
Formation of hydraulic jump is a function of the
downstream water level. The hydraulic jump must be
ensured at the toe of glacis. Therefore the formation of
hydraulic jump must be checked for retrogressed and
accreted levels
Critical Factor in barrage design:
Retrogression is more critical in barrage design than
accretion
Accretion is not critical at all because the higher
downstream level(due to accretion) the hydraulic
jump is pushed up on the glacis making the structure
more safe.
Retrogression causes the lower d/s level so the
hydraulic jump is pushed towards the toe of glacis
making it unsafe.
Therefore we design the d/s level according to the
Retrogressed level and it is ALWAYS SAFE for
accretion as well .