Transactions of Tianjin University

ISSN100624982 pp3492353
Vol. 13 No. 5 Oct. 2007

3
Predicting Siltation in Entrance Channel Based on Wind Conditions
1 ,2 3 1
J IANG Xuelian ( 蒋学炼) , CAO Zude ( 曹祖德) , LI Yanbao ( 李炎保)
(1. School of Civil Engineering , Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072 ,China ;
2. Tianjin Institute of Urban Construction , Tianjin 300384 ,China ;
3. Tianjin Research Institute for Water Transport Engineering , The Ministry of Communications ,Tianjin 300456 ,China)

Abstract : The siltation induc e d by wind waves in a n e ntra nc e c ha nnel is one of the p rime fa ctors in2
flue ncing the op eration efficie ncy of a p ort . It is ne c es s ary to p re dict the siltation a c c urately for
dre d ging a nd s hip op eration p as sing through the e ntra nc e of the p ort . However , it is diffic ult to ap 2
ply the tra ditional method to p re dicting e ntra nc e siltation be c a us e of its c omplex c omp utational p ro2
c e dure a nd la cking the data of oc e a n dyna mic ele me nts in the s p e cifie d s e a are a . From the view of
e nergy c ons ervation , a dire ct relations hip betwe e n wind c onditions a nd s e dime nt dep osition c a n be
founde d . On the basis of the a bove methodology , a n e mpiric al formula exp res s e d by wind c ondi2
tions for fore c asting the siltation in the e ntra nc e c ha nnel is s et up . The wind c onditions are e asily ob2
taine d from the loc al mete orologic al stations or we ather map s , s o the formula esta blis he d in this p a 2
p er is more c onve nie nt a nd p ra ctic al tha n the tra ditional method . A c as e study is p rovide d ,in whic h
the e mopiric al formula is c alibrate d a nd verifie d utilizing the me as ure d wind a nd siltation c onditions in
the e ntra nc e c ha nnel of the p ort . Comp aris ons betwe e n c omp ute d values a nd me as ure d data s how
s atisfa ctory a gre e me nt .
Keywords : wind c onditions ; e ntra nc e c ha nnel ; siltation

Based on past researches , the processes of wave gen2
erated by wind , sediment initiated by wave , and transported
by tide and deposition due to reducing current velocity are
considered as the primary cause of siltation in entrance
channel of a port [1 —4 ] .
In traditional design , engineers usually compute the
sediment concentration based on wave , tide and other ocean
dynamic conditions first and then calculate the siltation in
the outside channel by utilizing the deposition rate of the
suspended sediment [5 —10 ] . However , it is difficult to apply
the traditional method because of the complex computational
procedure and lacking the data relevant to the ocean dynam2
ic conditions.
And yet , from the view of energy conservation , there
exist some equilibrium relations among the processes of
wind2generated wave , wave2initiated sediment and sediment
deposition [11 ] . So , a direct relationship between wind con2
ditions and sediment deposition can be set up . On the basis
of the above methodology , this paper derives the empirical
formula expressed by wind conditions for forecasting the silt2
ation in the outside channel of a port . Obviously , it is more
convenient for ocean engineers because the wind conditions
are easily obtained from the local meteorological stations or
weather maps.
1 Theoretical analysis
Wind waves are induced by wind , so there exists an
expression between the wave height and wind velocity based
on energy conservation :
H = F1 ( w , t ) ( 1)
where H is wave height ; w , wind velocity ; F1 , operator
one ; t ,wind duration.
When wind waves pass the entrance channel , the sed2
iments on the shoal near the entrance channel are stirred
and then suspend in water [12 , 13 ] . Also based on energy
conservation , the sediment concentration in water can be
expressed as the function of wave height :
S = F2 ( H) ( 2)
where S is average sediment concentration in water ; F2 is
operator two.
As the suspended sediments being carried across chan2

Accepted date :2007206207.

J IANG Xuelian ,born in 1975 ,male ,Dr ,lecturer.
3 Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50779045) .
Correspondence to J IANG Xuelian , E2mail : jiang. xue. lian @163. com.
 Transactions of Tianjin University Vol . 13 No. 5 2007

nel by current , part of them will deposit in the channel be2 between wind and water surface.
cause of increasing water depth , in which the current veloc2 Take Eq. ( 10) into Eq. ( 9) ,
Gw = ρ0 f w ( w - u)
3
ity will slow down , i . e. its capacity of carrying sediments ( 11)
will reduce. Generally , the magnitude of disposition is in During wave growing , u << w , so Eq. ( 11) can be re2
direct proportion to the sediment concentration[14 ] , so the written as
Gw = τw w = ρ0 f w w
deposition thickness can be expressed as follows : 3
( 12)
P = F3 ( S ) ( 3) By substituting Eqs. 8 — 12 into Eq. 7 , we ob2
( ) ( ) ( )
where P is deposition thickness ; F3 is operator three. tain :
Substitute Eqs. ( 1) and ( 2) into Eq. ( 3) : ρg d H2
- ρ0 f w w3 = 0 ( 13)
P = F ( w , t) ( 4) 8 dt
where F is a composite function representing F1 , F2 and Integrating Eq. ( 13 ) under initial condition t = 0 ,
F3 . H=0 ,
Assuming the horizontal area of the channel bottom be2 8ρ0 f w 3 1/ 2
H= ( 14)
ing A , the amount of siltation in the waterway can be writ2
ρg w t
ten as It can be seen from Eq. ( 14) that wave height is in re2
Q = A F ( w , t) ( 5) lation to wind velocity and wind duration.
where Q is the amount of siltation in waterway. During a weather process , there are various classes of
During a weather process , there are various wind ve2 wind velocities and relevant wind durations. So , the com2
locities and relevant wind durations. So , the total siltation pletely growing wave height can be evaluated by
in
in the channel can be evaluated by 8ρ0 f w 1/ 2

∑( w i t i )
3
H= ( 15)
in ρg i = i0
Qtotal = A ∑( F ( w
i = i0
i , t i ) ) , i = i 0 , i 1 , …, i n ( 6) By analyzing the process of sediments on seabed initi2
where i is the number of wind scales ; i 0 , the minimum ated and suspended by wind waves , an energy2balance
equation can be set up [15 ] :
wind scale ; i n , the maximum wind scale ; w i is the wind ve2
d Es
locity for the i th wind scale ; t i ,the wind duration for the - Gwa = 0 ( 16)
dt
i th wind scale.
where Es is potential energy of suspended sediments ; Gwa
2 Set2up of empirical formula for fore2 is work acting on seabed by waves.
[16 ]
casting siltation in entrance channel Es is defined as

The energy for wave growing is supplied by wind acting 1 2

Es = Sgh ( 17)
2
on water surface , the energy2balance equation can be estab2
where S is average sediment concentration in water ; h is
lished as
water depth.
d Ewa
- Gw = 0 ( 7) Gwa can be obtained by
dt
where Ewa is wave energy per square meter ; Gw is work act2 1
Gwa = τwa uwa ( 18)
2
ing on water surface by wind.
where τwa is bottom shear force by wave ; uwa is maximum
The definition of Ewa is
horizontal wave velocity on seabed.
ρgH2
Ewa = ( 8) The definition of τwa has the following form :
8
where ρ is water density ; g is gravity acceleration. τwa = 1 ρf wa uwa 2
( 19)
2
Gw is defined as
where f wa is coefficient of friction resistance between wave
Gw = τw ( w - u) ( 9)
and seabed.
where τw is shear force acting on water surface by wind ;
Substitute Eqs. ( 17) —( 19) into Eq. ( 16) ,
w ,wind velocity ; u ,current velocity.
dS
τw can be calculated by 2 gh2 = ρf wa uwa
3
( 20)
dt
τw = ρ0 f w ( w - u) 2
( 10) Performing integration to Eq. ( 20) under the boundary
where ρ0 is air density ; f w is coefficient of friction resistance condition t = 0 , S = 0 :
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 JIANG Xuelian et al : Predicting Siltation in Entrance Channel B ased on Wind Conditions

ρf wa uwa
3
t α
ωs
S= ( 21) P= c ( S - S 02 ) t 1 + c2 ( S 01 - S 02 ) t 2
2 gh 2 γc 1 01
During a wind wave process , sediment concentration ( 23)
varies with the development of wind waves. In the growing where c1 and c2 are line2type coefficients. When the dura2
period of wind wave , sediment concentration is increasing. tion curve of sediment concentration is a straight line , c1 =
On the contrary , it is weakening. Fig. 1 presents the com2 1 1
and c2 = . When the duration curve of sediment con2
plete process , where Curve 1 denotes the variation of sedi2 2 2
ment concentration on the side flat of the channel and Curve 2
centration is a trigonometrical function , c1 = and c2 =
2 refers to the variation in channel . S 01 denotes the peak π
value of sediment concentration on side flat . Correspondent2 2
ly , S 02 indicates the peak value in channel . Generally , S 01 π , etc.
is greater than or equal to S 02 , it results in siltation in Eq. ( 23) can be rewritten as
α ωs c1 S 01 t 1 S 02 c2 t 2
channel . P= 1- 1+ ( 24)
γc S 01 c1 t 1
Substitution of Eq. ( 21) into Eq. ( 24) yields the fol2
lowing form
α ωsρf wa c1 3
uwa2 h1 c2 t 2 3 2
P= 1 - 1+ ( uwa t1 )
2γc gh1 2 3
uwa1 h2 c1 t 1
( 25)
Under the assumption of small2amplitude water wave
theory , we have
πΗ
uwa = ( 26)
2π
T sinh h
L
Fig. 1 Variation of sediment concentration
where T is wave period ; L is wave length. Thus ,
3 2 π3 H3 t 21
uwa t 1 = ( 27)
3 2π
As the suspended sediments are carried across channel 3
by current , part of them will deposit in it because of the in2 T sinh
L
h
creaseing water depth , which will reduce the current veloci2 2π
Adopting the first2order approximation sinh h =
ty and the capacity of carrying sediments. The deposition L 1
thickness for a whole wind wave process can be evaluated 2π
h ,
by[17 ,18 ] L 1
t t + t 3 4
1 1 2 uwa2 h1 h1
αωs = ( 28)
∫ ∫
3
P= ( ) ( ) h2
γc 0 S f 1 - S f2 d t + t S e1 - S e2 d t uwa1 h2
1
By substituting Eqs. ( 27) , ( 28) , ( 14) into Eq. ( 25)
( 22) and considering the whole weather process , we obtain :
where P is deposition thickness in a wind wave process ;α, 4
h1 c2 i t2 i
3 115 115 115
deposition coefficient ;ωs ,deposition rate ;γc ,dry density of i αωs c1ρ
n i f waπ 8 ρ 0 fw 1- 4 1+
h2 c1 i t1 i
deposited sediment ; S f1 , sediment concentration on side Ptotal = i∑ 2π 115 115
・
=i 0
2γc gh21 T3i sinh3 h1 ρ g
slopes during the growing period ; S f2 , sediment concentra2 L
( w4i15 t 311i5 ) ( 29)
tion in channel during the growing period ; t 1 ,growing peri2
Under some assumptions and approximations , the
od of sediment concentration ; S e1 , sediment concentration
equation can be simplified. First , the growing period of
on side slopes during the weakening period ; S e2 ,sediment sediment concentration t 1 i is approximated to wind duration
concentration in channel during the weakening period ; t i , so the relation of t 1 i = t i is employed. Second , the
t 2 weakening period of sediment concentration. t1 i
( ) [19 , 20 ] range of = 0150 —0166 implies the feasibility of the ra2
Eq. 22 can be simplified as t2 i
tio of t 1 i to t 2 i being a constant . Third , other variables , i .
e. α,ωs , c1 ,ρ,ρ0 , f w , f wa , h1 , h2 , Ti ,γc ,are relative to
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 Transactions of Tianjin University Vol . 13 No. 5 2007

ocean bathymetry , channel configuration , weather condi2 waterway during a whole weather process ; αP , αQ , γ,λ,
tions and the properties of sediment , sea water and tidal undetermined coefficients , which should be calibrated with
current . However , besides the weather conditions , the oth2 measured data at special site ; B ,width of channel bottom ;
er factors are consistent approximately for special entrance l ,length of channel bottom.
channel in special sea area. So Eq. ( 29 ) can be general2
ized as 3 Case study
i n

γλ Tab. 1 presents the measured wind and siltation data of

Ptotal = αP ∑( w i t i ) ( 30)
i= i 0
an entrance channel in a port . In this section , Tab. 1 is
Thus , utilized to calibrate and verify Eq. ( 31) , i . e. the anterior
i n 30 groups for calibration and the posterior 7 groups for veri2
γλ
Qtotal = αQ ∑( w i t t ) ,αQ = B l αP ( 31) fication. The fitted coefficients are γ = 1100 ,λ = 0148 ,
αQ = 1 194127.
i= i 0

where Ptotal is deposition thickness in waterway during a

whole weather process ; Qtotal , the amount of siltation in

Tab. 1 Comparison between measured data and computed results

Wind duration (h) Amount of siltation/ m3 Wind duration (h) Amount of siltation/ m3

Absolute Absolute
Subsequence Case Case Case Measured Computed value of Subsequence Case Case Case Measured Computed value of
1 2 3 value/ m3 value/ m3 relative 1 2 3 value/ m3 value/ m3 relative
error/ % error/ %
1 590 127 27 257 834 254 503 1129 21 606 110 28 243 269 250 391 2193
2 615 125 28 249 997 256 714 2169 22 626 89 29 239 989 244 176 1174
3 578 116 26 251 002 248 153 1114 23 600 92 28 241 034 242 523 0162
4 580 114 26 234 772 247 501 5142 24 611 103 30 250 001 250 611 0124
5 570 102 24 245 681 239 077 2169 25 540 140 40 274 537 272 642 0169
6 590 105 25 252 110 243 067 3159 26 605 110 29 241 123 251 715 4139
7 610 131 27 260 000 257 204 1108 27 612 102 30 240 009 250 259 4127
8 562 87 23 216 677 230 569 6141 28 594 98 28 236 749 244 730 3137
9 535 69 20 220 342 215 423 2123 29 630 85 29 238 887 242 619 1156
10 578 116 26 252 440 248 153 1170 30 523 99 26 244 523 237 745 2177
11 672 138 30 281 001 267 574 4178 31 605 108 31 260 000 253 614 2146
12 541 87 20 230 050 224 397 2146 32 597 115 32 251 234 257 203 2138
13 589 129 26 257 004 253 737 1127 33 607 85 28 250 000 239 834 4107
14 592 125 27 248 923 253 885 1199 34 626 88 30 247 329 245 092 0190
15 573 99 24 250 000 238 016 4179 35 525 150 45 280 029 280 735 0125
16 617 123 28 241 200 256 088 6117 36 589 103 28 251 437 246 504 1196
17 660 103 29 261 200 252 188 3145 37 625 90 29 248 729 244 559 1168
18 658 106 28 260 000 251 911 3111
19 579 116 25 251 321 246 747 1182
20 518 106 24 237 309 237 335 0101
Note : Case 1 —wind scale 1 ,2 ,3 and wind velocity 3 mΠs ; Case 2 —wind scale 4 ,5 and wind velocity 8 mΠs ; Case 3 —wind scale 6 and wind velocity 1318 mΠs.

common mechanism for all entrance channels. So , it is a

4 Conclusions
( 1 ) Based on the energy equilibrium principle Eq.
( 31) for forecasting silting rate in entrance channel by wind
condition directly was established in this paper. Being sim2
ple in form and easy to use , this formula has fair accuracy.
( 2) Eq. ( 31) is deduced on the basis of the processes
of sediment stirred by wave and transported by tide and de2
positing due to the reducing current velocity , which is a
universal formula ,and can also be used in other ports. The
parameters αQ , γ and λ should be calibrated with local
measured wind and deposition conditions.
(3 ) Using 37 groups of measured data of wind and
siltation quantity in a port , and taking the 30 groups data
among them to get regression parameters αQ ,γ,λand other
7 groups data to evaluate the forecast accuracy , the results
are satisfied. The maximum relative errors between the re2

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 JIANG Xuelian et al : Predicting Siltation in Entrance Channel B ased on Wind Conditions
gressed result and measured value is 6117 % , it means the
formula is effective. The average absolute errors of the fore2
casted silting volume is 1196 % , it shows that this formula [11 ] K ong Lingshuang , Cao Zude ,Li Yanbao. Forecasting silt2
is suitable for predicting silting rate by regressed parame2
ters.
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