Develop a rapid assessment numerical tool to assess the environmental impacts of fluidized sediment layers induced by a moving turbidity source and validate and transfer of the tool to the private sector (Boskalis) for direct application.

Within the dredging industry it is common practice to generate fluid mud layers when executing projects in for example port areas. After generation of the fluid mud layer it can then flow by gravity to deeper sections where it can be trapped. During flow the fluidized layer will interact with the ambient water column and local hydrodynamic forcing (i.e. tidal currents or waves). Interaction of the fluidized layer with the water column can lead to an increase in turbidity of the water. The turbidity plume is important to be evaluated prior to project execution to estimate and mitigate environmental impacts of the dredging activities. Normally extensive model simulations are needed to predict the stability and fate of the fluidized layer and thereby the impact of these dredging operations. However during the planning and engineering phases preceding the actual dredging operations time is limited and extensive model simulations are often not a viable approach. Therefore the need exists to rapidly assess the impact of dredging operations using a model that correctly represents the relevant physical processes.While this tool focuses on safe navigation and quality of the water body knowledge and tools are directly applicable to “Building with mud” and “Nature-Based” applications in the interface area between fluid and soil or fluid to soil behaviour. This project contributes to the general topic of beneficial and sustainable use of sediments for water infrastructure flood safety nature biodiversity and resiliency which are global critical societal challenges with high priority in the Dutch Government and Dutch Private Sector agenda (BV Nederland).

The innovative aspect of this project lies within the nature of the numerical tool which enables consultants and engineers to rapidly assess the impact of dredging operations. Currently simple empirical less accurate tools or with or (on the other extreme) extensive model simulations are utilized to predict the stability and fate of fluidized sediment layers and thereby the impact of these dredging operations. This tool will correctly represent the key physical processes yet allowing quick first order assessment. Such tool is very much needed but currently missing within the private sector. Two main project phases can be distinguished:1)Development and verification of the numerical tool to model fluidized layer flow and interaction with the water column. The generic tool developed will be based on the Deltares 1DV model.2)Validation of this tool on specific real dredging operation.Project planning:-Definition of approach: Q1 2018-Model development: Q2 & Q3 2018-Model validation: Q3 & Q4 2018

Alle partijen krijgen alle resultaten van het Project ter beschikking. De resultaten van de samenwerking kunnen breed verspreid worden. Partijen kunnen over deze resultaten vrijelijk publiceren. De resultaten zullen volledig openbaar beschikbaar zijn, met uitzondering van ter beschikking gestelde achtergrondkennis.

De informatie over dit project wordt kenbaar gemaakt via de website van de TKI Deltatechnologie (projectbeschrijving) en de projectwiki van Deltares (projectvoortgang en resultaten).

Na de datum waarop deze Overeenkomst in werking is getreden, maar uiterlijk tot een jaar voor de beoogde datum waarop het Project zal zijn voltooid, kunnen ondernemers en/of onderzoeksinstellingen, die op het terrein van het relevante subsidieprogramma van het TKI werkzaam zijn alsnog als Partij toetreden. Een later toetredende Partij zal een nader overeen te komen bijdrage in kind en/of in cash moeten leveren die in redelijke verhouding staat tot zijn relatief aandeel in het Project na toetreding. De overige Partijen ontvangen vervolgens naar rato een terugbetaling en/ of gedeeltelijke vrijstellingen van hun nog te leveren bijdrage in kind, voor zover niet besloten wordt de bijdrage van de later toetredende Partij aan het projectbudget toe te voegen.