ITERATIVE STUDIES FOR DESIGN OF PORT LAYOUT USING

NUMERICAL MODELLLING

A.M. Vaidya1 V.B. Sharma2 K.H. Barve3 M D Kudale4

Hydraulic models play a major role in optimising the design layout of ports and harbours. It is
necessary to assess the impact of construction of structures in the coastal area on the prevailing
hydrodynamics and sediment movement. In order to design the layout for the port and harbour several
aspects are required to be considered, such as minimum interference with the natural flow, desired wave
tranquillity in the harbour basin by optimising the length and orientation of breakwaters etc. In order to arrive
at such a layout, mathematical model studies provide a very useful tool. For major as well as minor
developments in coastal areas, it is desirable to carry out model studies before finalising the layouts. Even
for future developments or additions, it is always advisable to assess the feasibility of the proposal with
model studies. Mathematical model studies involve computer simulation of flow conditions, wave conditions
and sedimentation pattern before and after the proposed development. As a first step, calibration of model
with prototype data in the existing conditions is essential. Once the model is calibrated, the simulation can be
carried out for predicting the changes due to the proposed development. Based on these predictions, the
layout can be evolved, which is technically feasible and also cost effective.

The present paper, describes various aspects of design of a harbour layout. A jetty is located in the
region of high tidal range having strong tidal currents, which are in the direction of predominant waves. For
arriving at the optimum layout of the protecting breakwater for the jetty, mathematical modeling of wave
propagation and tidal hydrodynamics was resorted to iteratively. The layout was evolved such that the
desired wave tranquility conditions at the jetty were achieved with minimum obstruction to the tidal flow.

The passenger jetty is located at the entrance to Thane Estuary in Maharashtra at Mandwa Port.
The average tidal range is 5m and tidal currents are nearly 2 knots. The waves of heights more than 2m are
experienced at the jetty during monsoon months. In order to improve the berthing facilities and to cater to the
requirement of the traffic even during monsoon a breakwater is proposed as shown in Fig.1. At the jetty
locations, the direction tidal currents as well as predominant wave directions are almost same. Generally the
breakwater is provided normal to wave direction and parallel to current direction for better results. The design
of layout of breakwater involved achieving the desired wave tranquility at the berth with minimum obstruction
to the flow. Hence, different alternative breakwater layouts were considered and studied to arrive at a suitable
layout of the breakwater. Based on the results of mathematical modelling of wave propagation a tentative
alignment of the breakwater to provide desired tranquillity near the jetty was decided. This layout was tested
with hydrodynamic model to examine the flow conditions. The orientation of the breakwater was modified so
that there would be minimum interference for the tidal flow. The layout was again tested in the wave model
for tranquility conditions and length of the breakwater was optimized. The ends of the breakwater were
oriented as shown in Fig1 to guide the flow during flood and ebb tide phases so that there would be
minimum circulations.

1
Chief Research Officer (vaidya_am@cwprs.gov.in)
2
Assistant Research Officer (vipin_bihari@yahoo.com)
3
Assistant Research Officer (barvekh@gmail.com)
4
Joint Director ( kudale_md@cwprs.gov.in)
 Thane Creek

280m

Piled Approach

Fig. 1: Recommended Layout of Port

Thus application of mathematical models has a useful role in port development. The model
studies provide information about the post development scenario, which is important for any
developmental project. With mathematical models various alternative layouts can be studied
relatively quickly and inexpensively.