Floating Object Induced Hydro-morphological Effects in Approach Channel

Transversal and diverging waves, return flows, propeller induced jet flows, and other hydrodynamic effects induced by a floating object may cause significant movement and/or suspension of bottom and bank sediments in the marine environment, especially in approach channels. Using the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) process, the hydro-morphodynamic effects induced by a non-powered floating object navigating in an approach channel are investigated in this study. The approach channel dimensions depth, width, and channel slope are determined according to PIANC (2014) [1]. The floating object locations and velocities are used in nine different scenarios. In these cases, the floating object is 0.90, 1.10, and 1.30 meters from the bottom of the approach channel, respectively. According to the findings, when the floating object is located nearest to the bottom and its speed is fastest, there is a significant amount of sediment suspension and sediment movement in the channel slope, which is mostly attributed to super-critical return flows. When the floating object is farthest from the channel bottom and the floating object speed is lowest, however, there is a noticeable reduction in the acceleration and suspension of the sediment. As a result, the velocity and location of the floating object, channel slope, the kinematics of ship-generated waves, and particularly the return flows are found to have a significant impact on sediment movement and suspension. 

Keywords: CFD, Floating object, Hydrodynamic, Morphodynamic, Sediment suspension, Sediment transport