Efficient Consolidation Model for Morphodynamic Simulations in Low-SPM Environments
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper presents a new model, using existing consolidation theory, suitable for long-term morphodynamic simulations; we refer to the dynamic equilibrium consolidation (DECON) model. This model is applicable for muddy systems at small suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations, where the sedimentation rates are smaller than the consolidation rates and small fractions of sand can be accounted for. Thus, the model assumes quasi-equilibrium of the consolidating bed. It is derived from the full consolidation (Gibson) equation and is implemented in a mixed Lagrangian-Eulerian bed model guaranteeing stable and non-negative solutions, while numeric diffusion remains small. The erosion and deposition of sand and mud is accounted for, whereas internal mixing (e.g., bioturbation) is modeled through diffusion. The parameter settings for the new consolidation model (the hydraulic conductivity, consolidation coefficient, and strength) can be obtained from consolidation experiments in the laboratory. The model reproduces one-dimensional consolidation experiments and the qualitative behavior of erosion and deposition in a tidal flume. The DECON model was also applied to more natural conditions, simulating fine sediment dynamics on a schematized mud flat and in a schematized tidal basin under tide and wave forcing. The computational results of the mudflat simulations compared well with the simulations with the full Gibson equation. For the tidal basin simulations, DECON predicted the expected landward tidal transport of fine sediment during tide-dominated conditions, while the tidal basin withstood erosion during the more energetic wave-dominated periods. Computational times for the morphodynamic simulations of the tidal basin example without waves increased by a factor of 5 when consolidation was included. For the simulations with waves, this increase in computational times was only a factor of 2, as simulations with waves are always expensive. Applying a complete consolidation model would be prohibitive. The DECON model therefore serves as a useful tool to simulate fine-sediment dynamics in complex wave- and tide-dominated conditions, as well as the effects of seasonal variations.
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Acknowledgments
The Generic Bed Model was developed under the supervision of Thijs van Kessel and Bert Jagers, financed through the Ecoshape Building with Nature project NTW 1.3 Mud Dynamics. The new consolidation model was conceptualized and derived by Han Winterwerp, implemented in Delft3D by Zeng Zhou, and tested and debugged by Giulia Battista. Bas van Maren, Mick van der Wegen, and Bert Jagers assisted in the Delft3D applications. Work on the consolidation model was financed from Deltares’s strategic research funds (Programme Coastal and Offshore Engineering). Zeng Zhou is supported by the Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Grant BK20160862), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 41606104 and 51620105005), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant 2016B00714).
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 8 • August 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 25, 2017
Accepted: Dec 19, 2017
Published online: Jun 15, 2018
Published in print: Aug 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Nov 15, 2018
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