Integraal Plan Boven-Zeeschelde: sub report 11. Effect of B-alternatives on sand transport
Smolders, S.; Plancke, Y.; Vanlede, J.; Mostaert, F. (2019). Integraal Plan Boven-Zeeschelde: sub report 11. Effect of B-alternatives on sand transport. Version 3.0. FHR reports, 13_131_11. Flanders Hydraulics Research: Antwerp. VIII, 45 + 13 p. app. pp.
A sand transport model for the Scheldt estuary was made in the framework of the integrated plan Upper Sea Scheldt. This model is called “Scaldis Sand” and was able to reproduce sand transport rates measured along the Sea Scheldt and was as such validated. In this report this model is used to simulate some of the Balternatives. The B-alternatives are three bathymetrical variations on the Scheldt estuary plan form in 2050 to allow larger vessels of class Va to reach Ghent via the Sea Scheldt. These alternatives are called VaG, Chafing and VaH and are described in detail in this report. Alongside the bathymetrical changes the boundary conditions were changed to include climate change. In this report only two types are taken into account: a climate high (AplusCH) and a climate low (AminCL). First the effect of the autonomous development of the estuary, i.e. the bathymetrical changes between 2013 and 2050, on sand transport is discussed. Sand transport rates are given for different transects along the estuary. The transport direction is explained by the asymmetry between ebb and flood in the cross sectionally averaged flow velocity to the power five. The net sand transport rate over the transects is used to determine a mass balance for the areas in between transects. Secondly the 2050 reference is compared with the two climate scenarios 2050 AplusCH and 2050 AminCL. Sand transport rates and mass balances are compared. Next the 2050 AplusCH will act as a reference for the alternatives simulated with the same climate boundary conditions. The sand transport rates and mass balances of 2050 AplusCH, Chafing AplusCH, VaG AplusCH and VaH AplusCH are compared. For the VaG alternative the AminCL scenario was also compared with the reference. The climate boundary conditions had a larger effect on the sand transport rates and the mass balances than the changes in bathymetry in the B-alternatives. Comparing only the alternatives, the effect of Chafing and VaH was in the same order of magnitude as the effect of the autonomous development. VaG had a much larger effect.
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