Physical Model Studies for Riprap Design of Tow-Induced Forces

摘要

As commercial towboats navigate inland waterways, physical forces in the form ofwaves and currents are generated. In confined or restricted waterways, these vessel induced forces can have a significant effect on the surrounding environment. Evaluating the impacts of navigation induced forces on the riverine environment has become a topic of serious discussion and intense debate in recent years. Technical studies related to navigation effects investigate the characteristics of the physical forces produced by moving vessels and determine the effects of these forces from both an engineering and a biological perspective. Bank stability, bed stability, sediment transport, maneuverability of the vessel through the waterway, sill heights at locks, and collisions with structures are a few of the reasons evaluation of forces is important from an engineering design perspective. Environmental concerns range from propeller jet turbulence impacts on fish larvae, wave energy on aquatic vegetation, to sediment resuspension and transport in critical shoreline habitat areas and adjacent backwaters.