Simulation of environmental flow systems

The group Environmental Fluid Mechanics (EFM) is concerned with flows as they occur in nature. More specifically, it focuses on the effects of these flows for applications in Civil Engineering. Not only does the group work on numerical models, but it also has a laboratory where these models can be tested.

The group’s specialist areas include river flows, the complex turbulence which occurs around the breakwaters and its effects on the sedimentation in the river. In addition to studying flows, the group also carries out work on the waves further out at sea. This allows them to discern the difference between the long waves (shallow-water waves) and the short waves (deep-water waves). The influence of these waves on the seabed is currently the subject of research. In carrying out this research, the group will often make use of the sea level and surface temperature measurements taken from satellites.

One of the practical problems being tackled by the EFM group is the silting up of harbours. Dredging techniques provide a temporary solution to this problem, but the precise workings of the mechanism need to be understood in order that the correct measures can be taken to prevent silting up occurring. EFM also works on problems which occur on a worldwide scale. For instance, EFM was already working in cooperation with the American government authorities before hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Wave models designed at Delft were used to simulate the situation. Meanwhile, the EFM numeric models are also used for tsunamis. They enable scientists to examine how they form, but above all, they enable them to study the effects of a tsunami, should one occur.

Contact: