Multi-dimensional Intra-wave Modelling of coupled Sediment transport and Turbulence (MIMST)

The movement of sediment is a key part of coastal dynamics and it has relevance to many physical, chemical, biological and ecological processes. Computer modelling approaches are an important tool for coastal zone management and to predict the response of coastal systems to changing environmental conditions. The models used must be grounded in sound physical understanding of sediment processes and offer proven predictive abilities. They can only be as good as the representation of the underlying physical processes, which is commonly blamed for the still limited predictive power of coastal-scale physically-based models. In particular, mixing near the sea bed greatly affects the transport of matter and a good description of near-bed turbulence is crucial to accurately describe sediment transport. The available evidence shows that near-bed turbulence is still poorly predicted for wave flows over ripples in coastal ocean models. The key issues are then to determine which processes are responsible for the poor predictions, and how they can be better represented.

In the MIMST project, we propose to use computer modelling techniques to significantly increase our understanding of near-bed turbulence and sediment transport over rippled beds. We will combine computer simulations with rigorous comparisons against existing high-quality experimental data. This approach will enable us to develop and carefully validate a new coupled wave hydrodynamics, turbulence, and sediment transport model. The resulting model will be able to provide more information on small-scale turbulent and sediment processes than experiments presently can. In turn, we will use the new fine-scale numerical results to assess and improve the current representation of near-bed turbulence and sediment transport over rippled beds in coastal-scale models.

By combining observations and advanced numerical modelling, the project will provide a firm scientific foundation for understanding complex unresolved physical processes occurring near the sea bed. It will allow better predictions of coastal responses to changes in environmental forcing. The project builds on studies of the interaction between wave hydrodynamics and structures, and it will then allow predictions of the impact of man-made structures on sediment dynamics, and vice versa.

The work carried out in the MIMST project will substantially increase our fine-scale understanding of near-bed turbulence and sediment dynamics and our ability to predict their behaviour in coastal-scale numerical models. The project's outcomes will generally benefit consultants, engineers and managers involved with the coastal zone. We expect that it will do so by (i) improving the predictive ability of physically-based coastal-scale models, and (ii) introducing a new numerical tool able to investigate complex interactions between wave hydrodynamics, sediments and structures.

Beneficiaries outside the academic community who will gain from the project's outcomes will include:
i. Consultants and coastal engineers (e.g., HR Wallingford, ABPMer, Halcrow).
ii. Developers of coastal protection systems and of offshore energy installations, who will mainly benefit from the ability of the model to investigate interactions with coastal structures.
iii. Local port authorities requiring accurate predictions of sediment pathways at the coastal scale.
iv. Marine planning bodies at the local and national level, engaged in assessing coastal protection systems (Environment Agency, local authorities).
v. Marine planning bodies (e.g., Marine Management Organisation) and companies engaged in assessing the impact of coastal and offshore renewable energy installations.

Beneficiaries with existing advanced scientific and technical expertise may gain from the new insights on a relatively short timescale and possibly as soon as results are disseminated. Benefits to coastal management structures will however be slower and may take up to several years.