CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the most important part to conduct the actual fieldwork investigation
for current topic. Firstly, it describes the flow of works. Secondly, it shows the critical tasks
of this research from start to finish. Thirdly, highlight the proposed sampling area. Fourth,
showcase and explain methods, tools and techniques applied in detail for fieldwork
investigation in order to achieve streambank erosion rates from research objectives as
mentioned in 1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE. Fifth, to proceed with laboratory works with
the obtained data from fieldwork. Then, executing the actual erosion using erosion pins
method. After that, deduce the governing factors of streambank erosion from laboratory
works and fieldwork data
1.2 FLOW CHART
1.3 GANTT CHART
14-07-17
15-07-17
16-07-17
17-07-17
18-07-17
19-07-17
20-07-17
21-07-17
28-07-17
Task
ID Task Description Duration Start Date End Date
Chapter 1: Introduction
1 Finding Topic 1 14-07-17 15-07-17
2 Research for Journals 3 16-07-17 19-07-17
3 Problem Statement 1 18-07-17 19-07-17
4 Research Objectives 1 18-07-17 19-07-17
5 Scope of Works 1 18-07-17 19-07-17
6 Significance of study 1 20-07-17 21-07-17
28-07-17
29-07-17
30-07-17
31-07-17
01-08-17
02-08-17
03-08-17
04-08-17
05-08-17
06-08-17
07-08-17
08-08-17
09-08-17
10-08-17
11-08-17
12-08-17
13-08-17
14-08-17
Task Start
ID Task Description Duration Date End Date
Chapter 2: Lit. Review
1 Introduction 2 28-07-17 30-07-17
2 Research for Journals 5 31-07-17 05-08-17
Contribution previous
3 researchers 8 06-08-17 14-08-17
4 Conclusion 1 13-08-17 14-08-17
12-08-17
13-08-17
14-08-17
15-08-17
16-08-17
17-08-17
18-08-17
19-08-17
Task ID Task Description Duration Start Date End Date
Chapter3: Methodology
1 Introduction 1 11-08-17 12-08-17
2 Flow Chart 1 11-08-17 12-08-17
3 Gantt Chart 7 11-08-17 18-08-17
4 Research Activities 6 12-08-17 18-08-17
5 Proposed Outcomes 6 12-08-17 18-08-17
1.4 RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
1.4.1 SAMPLING AREA
The Bernam River is proposed as the sampling area for fieldwork investigation for
streambank erosion using erosion pins method. The river is located at Tanjung
Malim, Perak. Bernam River acted as a border between two states, Selangor (North
of Sabak Bernam District) and south of Perak. Bernam River flows from upstream
of Mount Liang Timur and the main channel of stream and its creek channel will
flow back to the west peninsular sea, which is Strait of Malacca. The river is 150.55
km long with latitude of 3°51.02 N and longitude 100°50.15 E.
Perak
Selangor
Figure 1: The location of Bernam River as a boundary between
Selangor and Perak state (source: Google Maps)
At Bernam River upstream, plantation is very appropriate instead of urbanization
and road pavement, plants such as rubber tree and palm tree are very abundant
because the soils are loamy and free from saltwater due to high altitude. Sabak
Bernam's leading economic activity is agriculture, most of the soil at downstream
is swampy; therefore, it is suitable for paddy plantation. Essentially, Bernam River
become the major source of water supply for agriculture activities area, such as rice
paddy plantation.
According to Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (NRE), Bernam River
has 2,836 km2 basin area. Bernam River also has undergone extensive cleaning by
the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia under ‘One State One River’
programme (Department of Irrigation & Drainage, 2016).
5km
Figure 2: The Bernam River basin with the location of the fieldwork sites.
1.4.2 CRITERIA OF SAMPLING AREA
Proper surveying is necessary before establishing a sampling area to get the most
accurate data from fieldwork investigation. However, it is very difficult to find the
best spot for sampling area. Nevertheless, to find the best sites, here are the criteria:
1) the height, the slope and steep of the vertical streambank. 2) The site is fairly
free from indication of erosion. 3) There are no vegetation or roots that holds the
streambank soil together. 4) The depth of the water channel must not be too deep
exceeding human height. 5) No tributaries channel joining at the desired sampling
area.
1.4.3 EROSION PINS
To measure the streambank erosion by fieldwork investigation using Erosion pins,
five (5) metal rod, each 50 cm in length and 60 mm in diameter, are nailed
vertically, for about 40 cm deep, leaving 10 cm of the rod exposed and coated, at
the right and left sidewall of the said streambank. At least two transects, with 30 m
- 50 m apart, will be inserted with the rods to achieve accurate results. The research
will be conducted for at least four (4) months with one (1) visit per month to record
the erosion rates.
1.4.4 HYDRAULIC DATA
The stream velocity is the rate of flow of water that travels along the channel. The
rate of water flow depends on the shape, depth and width of the channel (Leopold
& Wolman, 1957). Subsequently, the water flow near the edge is slowed down by
friction from obstructions such as rubble and tree roots; therefore, the highest rate
of flow is maximum at the middle of the channel. Hence, the stream flow velocity
will be recorded at the middle of the channel using flow meter.
The stream flow, Q is the volume water discharge that travels along the stream
channel per time. A basic cross-section profiling of the stream channel is essential
to get the stream flow data. First, measure the depth and breadth of the stream
channel. The breadth of the stream channel is measured by extending a measuring
tape from dry end of the right channel to dry end of the left channel. The depth is
measured using surveying pole multiple times to form subsections of the river.
Distance between subsections is ideally 1 metre apart. The stream flow, Q is
obtained by multiplying the area of the stream subsections with the average speed
of the stream velocity.
1.4.5 GEOMETRY DATA
Geometry data is a mathematical approach that regards to the topology, shape,
image and pattern of the concerned subject, for this matter, streambank erosion. By
these characteristics, the user can analyse data to gain knowledge regarding the
streambank erosion rates. The geometric data concerned to this research are as
follows:
(a) Streambank heights, Hs
Streambank vertical heights and slopes are fascinating because they are related
to streambank erosion and firmness of the soil. Slope streambank is better at
withstanding erosion compared to steep and high slope, which is susceptible to
to erosion, collapsing and withering of soil.
Measurement can be made by combining makeshift staff and surveying staff.
Makeshift staff is a 1.5-metre staff that can be made by sticking two straight
woods, making 90-degree T-shaped staff, reinforced with two other woods
using a simple truss. Two people is needed for this activity.
Figure 3: T-shaped staff
Figure 4: Surveying staff
Start by measuring the left side of the stream, while facing downstream. First,
lean staff with surveying staff together and slowly raise or lower the marked
staff until the horizontal part of the wood matched the ground level. The other
person will read the surveying pole marked by the staff using automatic level
and record the data. To get the actual height, simply adding the data recorded
with 1.5 meter (the height of staff). The same procedure is repeated for the other
site of the stream channel.
Figure 5: Automatic level
Figure 6: Measuring tape
(b) Streambank slope, θ
For the streambank slope, again, start with the left streambank while facing
downstream. First, define the ground level at foot of the streambank slope
placing bubble level meter horizontally and make sure the all bubbles are
between the two black lines. Then, place and hold protractor as vertical as
possible. Adjust the arm of the protractor until its slope is equal to the
streambank slope. The slope of the streambank should be as parallel to the
protractor arm. In case of
Figure 7: Bubble level meter
Figure 8: Protractor
1.4.6 SOIL DATA
(a) Hydrometer test, D50
Hydrometer test is widely used to identify the grain size distribution of a fine
grain soil. It is not suitable to use sieve analysis because the soil particles begin
to vary in size beginning from 0.075 mm to 0.0002 mm. Furthermore, the
chance of losing sample during sieving is high during normal sieving analysis.
Therefore, hydrometer test is best suited to do fine grain analysis.
Take about 50g of fine soil from the streambank. Add 100 ml of sodium
hexametaphosphate solution to it, stir it gently for 10 minutes, and transfer the
solution into the cup of mechanical mixer. Use distilled water to wash out the
traces of soil. Then, transfer the solution to the hydrometer jar and add more
distilled water to fill up until 1000 mL. After that, mix the soil vigorously by
turning the jar upside down.
Directly after shaking, start the stopwatch and immediately insert the
hydrometer to the jar. Insert the Hydrometer into the suspension carefully and
take Hydrometer readings at the total elapsed times of ¼, ½, 1 and 2 minutes.
Take the subsequent hydrometer readings at elapsed timings of 4, 9, 16, 25, 36,
49, 60 minutes and every one hour thereafter. Each time a reading is taken
remove the hydrometer from the suspension and keep it in the jar containing
distilled water. Care should be taken when the Hydrometer recorded to see that
the Hydrometer is at rest without any movement.
2. References
Department of Irrigation & Drainage. (15 June, 2016). One State One River Programme.
Retrieved from River Management - Activities: [Link]
services-mainmenu-252/river-management-mainmenu-278/activities-mainmenu-
265?showall=1&lang=en
Leopold, B. L., & Wolman, M. G. (1957). Physiographic and Hydraulic Studies of River.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.