Emma Sirks

Introduction and goal:

An accurate prediction of the development of large scale nourishments like the Sand Motor is of importance as future large scale nourishments can then be designed more efficiently.

The objective of this research was to contribute to a better understanding of the sediment transport processes at nourishments by analysing the sediment sorting processes.
The main research goals are to determine the sediment sorting in the Sand Motor area and the parameters influencing the sediment sorting processes in the cross-shore direction. 

Approach:

The Sand Motor was used as a case study to research the sediment sorting in a large area without the influence of native sediments.
The sediment composition in the Sand Motor area is analysed based on sediment samples of a few measurement campaigns, both before and after the construction of the Sand Motor. The research differentiates in longshore and cross-shore sediment sorting.

A numerical model (Delft3D) was used to simulate the sediment sorting processes and time scales in the cross-shore direction at a large scale nourishment.

Status:

Finished 

MSc Thesis Committee:

• Prof. dr. ir. M.J.F. (Marcel) Stive is head of the MSc Thesis Committee (TU Delft)
• ir. B.J.A. (Bas) Huisman is daily supervisor (TU Delft and Deltares)
• ir. D.J.R. (Dirk-Jan) Walstra (TU Delft and Deltares)
• dr. J.E.A. (Joep) Storms (TU Delft)