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: http://www.water.gov.my/our-

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.