Boussinesq-type wave modelling in port applications: Workability assessment with TRITON, a Boussinesq-type wave model

The workability of floating construction equipment is one of the elements in the construction phasing of the design of the Ashdod port extension in the south of Israel by DHV Consultancy and Engineering. Waves play an important role in the workability of floating equipment, since they induce motions to floating equipment with the possibility of adverse effects on the workability. For the purpose of assessing the workability of this equipment in relation to the wave climate during several critical phases of the construction, wave modelling should provide insight. A recent development is the availability of Boussinesq-type models for this type of studies. Boussinesq-type models are phase-resolving, which means that they describe the individual wave behaviour. This gives Boussinesq-type wave models the capability of describing wave propagation in relatively shallow regions (e.g. harbours and foreshores), where nonlinear effects and dispersion play an important role. Boussinesq-type wave models are suited to deal with complex harbour geometries, including modelling of diffraction, partial reflection and wave-wave interactions. In this study, it is investigated whether TRITON, an experimental Boussinesq-type wave model currently under development at Deltares, is suitable for the purpose of workability assessment of floating equipment. The suitability of TRITON depends on aspects like the applicability of Boussinesq-type models in general, the correctness of results and the computational effort for TRITON. As part of this study, the results of TRITON are compared with measurement data from a physical scale model of Ashdod port, which was mainly set-up for measuring moored vessel motions. For the validation of TRITON for the purpose of workability assessments, the Ashdod port extension is used as a case study. The plausible floating equipment scenario for the construction phasing of the Ashdod port extension (consisting of typical dredgers, stone dumpers and crane barges) is sensitive for primary waves within a peak period range of 5-12s. The estimation of the workability limits of the plausible equipment is based on a combination of ship motion theory, information from contractors and personal communication with experts. Based on the present study, TRITON is considered technically capable for the purpose of workability assessments in port applications. The appropriateness for using TRITON in this type of application is however limited by the application range of TRITON – due to the mathematical background of Boussinesq-type models – and by computation times.

Subject

wave modelling
port construction
workability
Boussinesq

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Embargo date

2012-05-20

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Student theses

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master thesis

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MSc_Thesis_Report_Joas_Boeyinga.pdf

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