3D Numerical Simulation of Convoy-generated Waves and Sediment Transport in Restricted Waterways
Résumé
Vessels such as towboats and barges can generate wake waves, cause draw-down and send waves back along riverbanks in narrow channel areas, and also contribute to sediment re-suspension and riverbank erosion. This chapter presents a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model based on coupling a 3D Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation and a sediment transport model to simulate ship-generated waves and re-suspended sediment transport as well as the erosive effects of propeller jets used by boats moving in waterways. Turbulence is taken into account by the k-epsilon model and the effects of propellers are discussed by considering the total thrust of the propulsion system. The results show that sediment re-suspension depends mainly on convoy speeds, the kinematics of convoy-generated wakes and the number of barges. In order to ensure the accuracy of the hydrosedimentary model, the used grid density is bigger than the validated hydrodynamic model.