Professional Documents
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Dr Balakrishna Sharma
1
Port & Harbour Planning & Modelling Working with natures complexities
Mathematical models are useful tools for simulating the coastal hydrodynamics and
morphological changes. The application of these models to obtain realistic information
requires expertise in modeling and interpreting the findings. In order to get best out of the
model simulations, one should have clear understanding about the purpose for which the
model has been developed and its limitations.
Tata Consulting Engineers has effectively put in technological expertise and modelling
tools to simulate coastal hydrodynamics essential for development of coastal structures
like, breakwaters, jetty, seawater intake structures, offshore outfalls and diffusers, design of
port layout, location of berths and orientation of navigational channels.
HYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS
Tidal hydrodynamics and wave simulations provide information on flow and tranquility
conditions which is vital for designing the layouts of ports and harbors and is essential for
economical design and construction of coastal structures. Most of the physical phenomena
to be considered while designing the harbor layout can be faithfully simulated using
mathematical models. In order to design the layout for the ports and harbors many aspects
are required to be studied, such as minimum interference with the natural flow conditions,
desired tranquility at berths, optimum length and orientation of breakwaters, etc.
Tidal hydrodynamic models provide velocity field in the computational domain during
different tidal conditions and Wave propagation models provide wave conditions which are
the basic input to simulate other aspects like sediment movement, thermal dispersion and
salinity dispersion.
Sedimentation is a major concern for ports and harbors. Sediment movement is highly
dynamic and site specific. Governing factors include coastline profile, type of sediment,
tide and wave conditions at site. To maintain the desired depths in the approach channels,
major ports carryout dredging at regular intervals. Thus, more care is required to be taken
while designing layouts to minimize the recurring cost on maintenance dredging. While
designing the layout, it is necessary to see that the sedimentation is minimum and natural
flushing is achieved.
Design of harbor layout without proper study may result in excessive sedimentation, at
times leading to abandoning of the site. Thus, it is essential to study different alternative
layouts considering prevailing hydrodynamics and sediment movement at the harbor site.
Navigational channels are worst hit by sedimentation if not designed and oriented properly.
The general trend is to dredge a straight channel along the shortest path from harbor to
deep waters to minimize the capital cost. However, this may result in excessive siltation
and in turn leads to exorbitant recurring cost for maintenance dredging. Even while
orienting the breakwaters, if not studied from the point of sediment movement, harbor
would result in excessive sedimentation and may become a threat to safe navigation.
Sediment transport model studies provide fair idea about the siltation pattern for the given
breakwater layout and approach navigational channel considering tide and wave conditions
at the site. The limitations posed by existing natural tidal conditions can be overcome by
appropriate breakwater layout and channel orientation.
Technical knowledge in coastal processes and with support of model studies alternative
layouts and technical solutions can be provided by expert consultants. End-to-end design
solutions and modeling for feasible solutions to tackle sedimentation in navigational
channels are some areas that experts in the field such as Tata Consulting Engineers can
provide.
Unlike sedimentation, erosion is more destructive and has severe impact on human
dwelling along the coastline. Estuarine rivers, tidal inlets and lee side of shore connected
breakwaters depending on the littoral current face severe erosion problems.
Thus, it becomes evident to study the site conditions and examine the behavior of the
shoreline before planning the development. It is a general trend to arrest erosion by
providing protection to the shore by placing boulders and stones without studying the
problem.
However, suitable shore protection measures can be evolved through detailed study of the
site conditions, behavior of coastline under the action of tide, tidal currents and wave
actions. By simulating the hydrodynamics and sediment movement at site it may be
possible to arrive at reliable solution to promote deposition in the eroding zone.
The industrial effluents are generally disposed off in to rivers and coastal waters. Reject
waters from power plants are slightly warm and saline than the ambient waters and may
cause temperature rise in receiving water body that may affect the aquatic environment and
accelerate the growth of weeds, algae and plankton. In order to prevent adverse effects on
the environment, different standards are set by the environmental protection agencies in
different countries for discharging thermal effluents in natural bodies.
Thermal dispersion models are used as design tools for identifying the appropriate outfall
location and evolving at diffuser system to study the zone of influence. The studies involve
simulation of hydrodynamic processes for tidal conditions, the advection, dispersion and
diffusion of thermal discharges
Design of diffuser system based on model studies provides cost effective solutions. It is
well known that offshore works are cost intensive, thus even marginal reduction in length of
submarine pipe would result in significant saving in the project cost.
In depth studies can be conducted on thermal dispersion and mixing zone analyses for
identifying most appropriate outfall location that meets environmental and regulatory
stipulations.
Apart from the environmental point of view the model studies also help in identifying the
locations of the Intake and Outfall points to avoid recirculation of warm water which would
adversely affect the efficiency of the CW system of Power plant.
Conclusion
Mathematical model simulations are useful tools for design of port and
harbour layout, intake and outfall structures