Three Dimensional Modelling of Estuarine Sediment Transport

This paper describes the sediment transport module in the three-dimensional finite element model TELEMAC-3D which uses the operator splitting technique to solve the shallow water and transport equations. This technique is very efficient because the advection step has to be solved only once. The sediment transport module consists of the transport equation, deposition, erosion and a consolidation model. A comparison with an analytical solution for the sediment transport equation shows excellent agreement with the numerical solution. The consolidation model is tested using experimental data. The generation of a turbidity maximum in a schematic estuary and the application to the Weser estuary in Northern Germany are discussed.