Impacts of ship movement on the sediment transport in shipping channel

The duration of ship-generated waves (wake waves) and accelerated currents can generate significant influences on the sediment transport. A 3-D numerical model is presented to estimate these effects. The hydrodynamic model is the 3-D Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations including the standard k – ɛ model while the 3-D convection-diffusion model is for the resuspended sediment transport. This hydro-sedimentary model is firstly validated with the trench experimental results, and then applied to the open channel with a moving ship. The computed results demonstrate that the resuspension generation mainly depends on ship speeds, barge number, and the relative distance away from ship. The acceleration effects of ship on the sediment transport are analyzed as well.