Long-term process-based morphological modeling of large tidal basins

The morphology of tidal basins includes a wide range of features developing along different spatial and temporal scales. Examples are shoals, channels, banks, dunes and ripples. Coastal engineers use their engineering tools to answer questions on the processes governing the short term (< decades) development of these morphological features....

Assessment of the effects of the Zuider Sea closure on the hydrodynamics of the Wadden Sea inlets

Large hydrodynamic and morphodynamic changes have taken place in the western Dutch Wadden Sea due to the closure of the Zuider Sea in the early 1930s. Hydrodynamic simulations for three situations, viz. just before the closure, just after the closure and at present, have been carried out in order to investigate the hydrodynamic changes since the...

Effect of removal of the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier

The research objective of this thesis is to determine the new hydrodynamic and morphodynamic situation in case the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier is removed, with emphasis on the development of the intertidal area. To reach the objectives of this study a literature study is performed which describes the impact of the Deltaworks. An analytical...

Simulating and classifying large-scale spatial sand-mud segregation using a process-based model for a tidal inlet system

Tidal inlet systems, as found in the Dutch Wadden Sea, often feature both sand and mud. Due to differences in sediment properties, sand and mud particles respond different to identical forcing conditions, like short waves and tidal currents. Because of this, sand and mud can get transported to different locations. This process is referred to by...

Tidal Divides: A study on a simplified case and the Dutch Wadden Sea

In this thesis the position of tidal divides is studied by means of a simplified model and the Dutch Wadden Sea. To study the parameters influencing the location of the tidal divide, two basins are schematized to a rectangular channel with at each side an incoming tidal wave. These two incoming waves can differ in amplitude and have phase...

Modeling equilibrium bed profiles of short tidal embayments: On the effect of the vertical distribution of suspended sediment and the influence of the boundary conditions

In many tidal embayments, bottom patterns, such as the channel-shoal systems of the Wadden Sea, are observed. To gain understanding of the mechanisms that result in these bottom patterns, an idealized model is developed and analyzed for short tidal embayments. In this model, the water motion is described by the depth- and width-averaged shallow...

Historical Morphological development of the Eastern Scheldt tidal basin (the Netherlands)

The Eastern Scheldt tidal basin has changed drastically in the past five centuries under the influence of both human interventions as well as extreme events. In 1530 A.D. a storm-surge inundated large parts in the landward end of the basin, and in the following four centuries local inhabitants reclaimed about as much land as was inundated in...

Bio-physical impacts on fine sediment dynamics in an idealised Wadden Sea basin

This research has focussed on the identification of the relevant processes behind the long-term fine sediment dynamics. Three main influences were considered: the tide, wind waves and biological stabilization/destabilization. The study was performed by means of computational modelling, within the process-based model, Delft3D. By modelling...

Morphodynamic modelling of estuarine channel-shoal systems

In this research, the initial formation and long-term evolution of channel-shoal patterns in schematised basins is simulated using a model based on the software package Delft3D. The resulting channel-shoal patterns are validated with field observations, among which the Western Scheldt estuary. This has proven that a complex model is able to...

Morphodynamics of the Lister Tief tidal basin

The Wadden Sea is characterized by barrier islands separated by tidal inlets consisting of a system of inter-tidal flats and channels. It is an ecologically valuable area. Accelerated sea-level rise due to climate change combined with human interference which may cause land subsidence can have significant impact on the Wadden Sea system. A major...

Coastal inlets and tidal basins

lecture note: Tidal inlets and their associated basins (lagoons) are a common feature of lowland coasts all around the world. A significant part ofthe world's coastlines is formed by barrier island coasts, and most other tidal coasts are interrupted by estuaries and lagoon inlets. These tidal systems play a crucial role in the sediment budget...

A model of the morphological behaviour and stability of channels and flats in tidal basins

In this report, a model is derived which simulates the behavior of channels and flats in a tidal basin after a change in the exogenous parameters. In chapter 1, a short introduction is given about the context in which this research has been done. Chapter 2 discusses the general features of the tidal inlet system as well as its formation and...

Principles of Mixing in Tidal Basins in the Netherlands

Some fundamental notions related to the flushing of tidal basins are reviewed and some important mixing mechanics are discussed. It is shown that the characteristics of mixing and flushing in tidal basins can be described in various but connected ways, introducing the concepts of time scales and dispersion coefficients. For some simple...