SEDIMENT TRANSPORT MODELLING IN A MACROTIDAL ESTUARY: DO WE NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR CONSOLIDATION PROCESSES?

[摘要] In order to investigate the role of consolidation processes on the sediment transport in a macrotidal estuary, a simple vertical model of fluid mud consolidation has been coupled to a cross-averaged sediment transport model in the Loire estuary. Simulations show that sediment patterns (turbidity maximum and fluid mud location) are few dependent on consolidation. On the other hand, the consolidation influences the residual deposition after a spring/neap tidal cycle and thus the net transport of sediment through the estuary. It is pointed out that consolidation is in competition with turbulence damping so that both processes have to be considered when predictive simulations are wanted.

[学科分类] 建筑学

[关键词] consolidation;sediment transport;transport model;estuary;macrotidal estuary