Development and Verification of Numerical Models for Predicting the Initial Fate of Dredged Material Disposed in Open Water. Report 1. Physical Model Tests of Dredged Material Disposal from a Split-Hull Barge and a Multiple Bin Vessel

Physical model disposal tests of various types of disposal material have been conducted to provide insight and data sets for modifying and verifying existing numerical disposal models. The tests were conducted in a static and unstratified basin in water depths up to 6 ft. Both stationary and moving disposals from a 1:50-scale split-hull barge and a 1:50-scale multibin hopper vessel were modeled. An analysis of scaling laws concluded that although exact similitude of the Reynolds number and the particle-settling velocity were not achieved, the bulk behavior of the descending cloud or jet and the bottom surge created after bottom encounter can be approximately scaled to the prototype. The movement of the disposal material from the vessel to its final resting place was tracked during each test through videotaping. Discrete water samples at several locations were obtained to determine suspended sediment concentrations. Bottom surveys at the conclusion of each test provided details on depositional patterns. Barge, Dredging, Disposal tests, Hopper, Dredged material, Scaled models. Original contains color plates: All DTIC/NTIS reproductions will be in black and white.