Ship-Generated Waves and Induced Turbidity in the Göta Älv River in Sweden
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 3
Abstract
Ship-generated waves were investigated in the Göta Älv river, which is a major waterway on the Swedish west coast between the sea and Lake Vänern. Ships with a typical size of () travel at speeds between 5 and 10 knots, generating waves that cause sediment transport and erosion along the river bed and banks. Field measurements of the wave properties and turbidity were carried out during 17 ship passages, and comparisons were made with the most commonly used formulas for predicting ship waves. The formula proposed by the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses yielded the overall best agreement for the divergent (secondary) waves, whereas the drawdown (primary wave) could best be estimated from the vessel sinkage. The maximum recorded turbidity was mainly a function of the drawdown, and it could be well predicted from the parameterized bed shear stress. In conclusion, ship waves often induce bed and bank erosion in restricted waterways and, although simplistic formulas involve significant uncertainties, they are still useful tools for predictions. However, more studies are needed to determine the influence of a limited river cross section on the wave generation and the relationship between ship waves and sediment transport.
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Acknowledgments
This study was financed by the national research council Formas (Grant No. 245-2007-786) and the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI). Assistance from the people at Gothenburg Water, especially Åsa Henriksson, for sending and interpreting turbidity data, is greatly appreciated. The Vessel Traffic Service (Swedish Maritime Administration) in Trollhättan provided information about scheduled ship traffic and the company Vattenfall about the river flow data. The comments provided by three anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 3 • May 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 12, 2013
Accepted: Jul 15, 2013
Published online: Jul 17, 2013
Published in print: May 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Jul 13, 2014
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