PRELIMINARY RIVER-MOUTH FLOW MODEL

Various interactions between freshwater river effluents and saline ocean waters are responsible for sediment dispersal and formation of bars at delta river mouths. River mouth bars exhibit a wide variety of geometries and controlling depths, and navigating these regions is hazardous because of the paucity of updated hydrographic charts and the fact that essentially no predictive capability presently exists. In addition, the interface between freshwater and saltwater masses is constantly changing, and such interfaces drastically affect acoustical transmission and reflections. The number of complex variables interacting in the mixing region is three-dimensional, and simultaneous monitoring of these parameters over large areas for any length of time becomes a near-impossible logistical task. This paper presents progress to date on mathematically simulating, in a three-dimensional array, the flow patterns, density concentrations, and sediment dispersal at a river mouth. Equations describing the fluid mechanics and sediment transport and deposition are presented. Although the equations defy analytical solution, a numerical technqiue (asymptotic time-dependent relaxation method) has proven satisfactory. This method computes a three-dimensional fluid velocity field, from which can be calculated the deposition of suspended material from the river. This simulation technique will allow evaluation of the importance of the various parameters spatially and in three dimensions so that field measuring programs can be more efficiently planned. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  Coastal Studies Institute
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Waldrop, R
• Publication Date: 1973-1

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 67-92
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 130

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Flow fields; Harbors; Rivers; Simulation; Structural models
• Uncontrolled Terms: Shoaling
• Old TRIS Terms: Harbor models; River models
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00057131
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Texas A&M University, College Station
• Report/Paper Numbers: Bulletin
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 16 1974 12:00AM