12/7/2015

Guidelines for Preparation

of Coastal Engineering
Hydraulic Study and
Impact Evaluation (for
hydraulic studies using
numerical models)
An explanatory note

Presentation Contents
• Introduction
• Components of A Coastal Hydraulic Model
• Selection of Model
• Model Set-up
• Data Requirements
• Model Validation – calibration & verification
• Simulations
• Impacts – types, assessment, identification
• Monitoring
• Report presentation

1
 12/7/2015

Introduction
• Numerical models are complex tools requiring thorough
understanding of coastal processes
• Numerical modelling has advanced with ICT
advancement – substituting physical models which
require extensive preparation and long execution time
• Why does modelling need guidelines?
– Programming principle: garbage in = garbage out
– Modelling is an upstream process; wrong model output leads to
wrong conclusions
– Complex data set: tide, currents, waves, wind, sediment data
requires careful handling
– Specific module for specific problems/process simulation
• All models have limitations
• Model selection must fit problem

Introduction
• Guidelines 1/97 stipulates that coastal development
requires hydraulic study & modelling if:
– Project can potentially cause changes to wave, current and
sediment transport patterns
– Changes nearshore bathymetry
– Causes erosion to adjacent beaches
• Guidelines 2001 complements 1/97 on the use of
numerical models
• Prescribed activities under Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) Order 1974 (revised 1987) need
mandatory EIA
– For coastal development projects, a coastal hydraulic study is
part of the EIA

2
 12/7/2015

Introduction
• The results of these models vary depending on the
various assumptions, method of solution, grid size,
etc.
• If the modelling is not done properly, the results may
not reveal the relevant impacts on the environment
• Streamlining the computer modelling studies can
ensure a certain consistency and quality in studies
• The Guidelines describe in detail the data
requirements and the scope of impact assessment
for various types of development projects in the
coastal area.

OVERVIEW OF MODELS
• The simulation of physical phenomena
using numerical methods
• Main equation: Navier-Stokes
• Two Main Categories:
– Finite Element - triangular grid, irregular
– Finite Difference - rectangular grid

3
 12/7/2015

Overview of Models
TYPES OF MODELS
• Finite Element
Models
– Grid is non-regular -
triangular
– Can intensify grid
where required - solve
in a single run.
– Hard to keep track of
grids
– Complex theoretical
development
7

Overview of Models
TYPES OF MODELS
• Finite Difference
– Regular, rectangular grid
– Coarse grid and fine grid
requires separate runs
– Easy to keep track of each
grid
– Approximates the partial
derivatives in partial
differential equations with
finite difference
representations over the
grid
– Easy to program
8

4
 12/7/2015

Overview of Models

TYPES OF MODELS
• Finite Difference….contd.
– Rectangular (structured)
grids are easy to work with
– Indices correspond to axis
directions
– Generate model grid by
digitising Admiralty Charts
(water depth contours &
land boundaries) based on
an origin and reference
longitude and latitude

Overview Of Models
MODEL DIMENSION
• 1D - one dimensional
• flow in canals, rivers, drains, flood routing,
longitudinal flows (Mike11)
• 2D - two dimensional
• coastal hydraulics, sediment transport,
environmental hydraulics, harbour design
• 3D - three dimensional
• complex flows, turbulence, Eddy currents
• Multi-dimensional
• - combines all three types
10

5
 12/7/2015

Overview Of Models
COMMERCIAL MODELS
Commercial (tried & tested, supported, license fees)
• Mike21 (DHI)
• SMS (Brigham-Young)
• Telemac (LNH/Wallingford)
• Unibest (Delft Hydraulics)
Public Domain
• free, not fully-tested; not bug-free; documentation not
complete
• RMA series by Ian King
• Peter Sheng of U of Florida
• Blumberg-Mellor 3D models 11

Components of Coastal
Hydraulic Model
Standard modules
1) Nearshore wave: Hydrodynamic: simulates water
level and current velocity variations over tidal cycles
using wind, tide and wave as forcing factors
2) Advection & Dispersion
• Relies on results of 2
• Simulates thermal/effluent/suspended solids plume
dispersion
3) Mud/Sand Transport: simulate
erosion/sedimentation pattern
4) Sediment budget & Shoreline Evolution Module:
identifies potential shoreline evolution
12

6
 12/7/2015

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

WAVE / NEARSHORE WAVE MODULE
1) Transforms • When to use it?
offshore/deepwater
– Need to know what wave
wave to nearshore
wave conditions height to use for design of
a breakwater
2) Data input:
i. wave height, period – To determine height of
direction wave entering a rivermouth
ii. Bathymetry & land – To determine which
iii. Wind speed, direction direction is dominant for
iv. Sediment information waves approaching project
3) Output: shoreline
1) Wave height and
direction of waves as it
travels from offshore to
the nearshore
13

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

NEARSHORE WAVE MODULES
1. Also known as Wave
Transformation Modules
2. The models should simulate
the main processes of wave
nearshore transformation:
• Propagation
• Refraction
• Diffraction
• Shoaling
• Dissipation due to bottom
friction and breaking
• Wave-current interaction
• Wave-wave interaction

Nearshore wave pattern

14

7
 12/7/2015

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

NEARSHORE WAVE MODULES

15

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

HYDRODYNAMIC MODULE
1) Simulates current speed & • When to use it?
direction and water level
over tidal cycle – To predict changes in
2) Data input: current speeds around
i. Tidal time series a proposed jetty
ii. Wind speed, direction – To predict changes in
iii. Bathymetry & land water level due to
iv. Sediment information; reclamation and
cohesive or non-cohesive
determine if existing
3) Output:
jetties can still be used
1) Over a period of time,
predicts where and when
the current is fastest/slowest
and the variation in water
level

16

8
 12/7/2015

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

HYDRODYNAMIC MODULE

17

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

ADVECTION/DISPERSION MODULE
1) Simulates spreading or • When to use it?
dispersion of:
i.Suspended material
– Water quality studies
ii.Thermal plume – To determine how fast
iii.Effluent/pollutants and oil spill will spread
from its source
2) Data input: – To determine the
i.Results of hydrodynamic location of outfall to
module discharge cooling
ii.Concentration at source water from coal power
iii.Rate of dispersion station turbine
3) Output:
Dispersion of plumes over
time; distance of plume
spread and variation in
concentration over time
18

9
 12/7/2015

Components of Coastal Hydraulic Model

MUD/SAND TRANSPORT MODULE
1) Simulates the erosion of • When to use it?
the bed or deposition – To determine the affects of
patterns expanding the entrance of
a harbour on sedimentation
2) Data input: rates at the entrance
i. Results of – To determine the most
hydrodynamic module critical sedimentation areas
ii. Bed material: density, in a harbour or around a
gradation, critical shear jetty
velocity
3) Output:
1) Predicts areas where
erosion or deposition
occurs?

19

The Modelling Phases

• Defining the right model/module
• Collecting relevant data
• Setting-up the model
– bathymetry, model area, boundaries, time
steps
• Model Validation
– Calibrating and Verifying
• Production Simulations
• Presenting Results
20

10
 12/7/2015

SELECTION OF MODEL
• Specific model for specific problems
• Safe to use one that is proven/tested
• Unrecognised modelling software should
be checked:
– Proof of successfully completed projects
– Test functionality by head-to-head output
comparison against established software
– DID can assist in numerical model tests

21

MODEL SET-UP
• The model grid is a digital representation of the
study area
– Coarse grid: low resolution - captures general
patterns in and around the general area of interest
– Fine grid: high resolution - captures the details of the
specific area of interest, <50m
– Intermediate or medium grid: may be necessary if the
required resolution cannot be achieved within one
reduction
– The point of interest should be away from the model
boundary (minimum of 50 grid points) to avoid
boundary errors
22

11
 12/7/2015

MODEL SET-UP
• The model grid is a digital …….CONTD.
– Rivermouths: grid spacing < ¼ of width
– Coastal structures: grid spacing < ¼ of
structure length
– Boundaries shall not be on or adjacent to river
mouths (unless extensive data available)

23

Model Set-up
GRID SPACING

Coarse - 270m Grid Spacing

Medium - 90m Grid Spacing

Fine - 10m Grid Spacing

24

12
 12/7/2015

Model Set-up
GRID SPACING
SOUTH CHINA
Local hydrographic survey SEA

Grid spacing
dx

KUALA TERENGGANU

COARSE GRID MODEL DOMAIN

FINE GRID MODEL DOMAIN

NESTED GRID 25

Model Set-up
GRID SPACING
Each point has a z value
x1,y1,z1

Z axis

datum
26
X axis

13
 12/7/2015

Model Set-up
THE COARSE GRID MODEL

Boundary

Land
boundary

Boundary
Boundary
27

Model Set-up
THE FINE GRID MODEL

[m]

28

14
 12/7/2015

Data Requirements
• Different modules require different data
• tidal data can be obtained either from on site
measurements or from published data
• waves can be obtained from Surface Ship
Meteorological Observation, UK Meteorological
Office, from hindcasting techniques, etc.
• bathymetry data can be obtained by a combination of
hydographic surveys, Admiralty charts and C-Map
(commercially produced digital navigation maps)

29

Driving forces- initial and boundary

conditions for numerical modelling
• Bathymetry
• Wind
• Offshore waves
• Offshore currents &
sediment fluxes
• Tide constitutes
Currents

Wind
Waves

30

15
 12/7/2015

Tides

Tidal data (time series) is used on the boundaries of hydrodynamic

31
modules

Wave
• Offshore wave data
as input at boundary
• Height, period &
direction
• Conduct statistical
analysis to determine
offshore wave
condition
– Annual & seasonal
rose diagrams
32

16
 12/7/2015

Bathymetery
• A most critical dataset
required in ALL 2-D
models
• Seamaps applicable for
coarse regional grid only
• Nearshore area
modelling requires
hydrographic survey for
more detail

33

Model Validation
• Comprises of two activities
– Calibration
• Tuning the model to actual conditions by matching
against a particular set of field data
– Verification
• Testing a calibrated model at a different time
period using a different set of field data

34

17
 12/7/2015

Model Validation
VERIFICATION
• Calibration
– altering model parameters to fit /match measured
values
• bed resistance (adjusts water elevations)
• eddy viscosity (advanced modellers)
• bathymetry (adjusts phasing)
• boundary conditions; water levels
• wind friction
– calibration periods should cover all grid types and
conditions critical to the project
• Coarse, intermediate and fine grid models
• spring and neap tides, storm situations (extreme)

35

Model Validation
VERIFICATION
• Verification
– testing predicted water levels and current
velocities to actual measured values
• field data must be from different locations from that
used for calibration
• The model output and the field data must agree
within tolerance without further adjustment of the
model parameters
– verified results gives you more confidence in
the model output and performance
36

18
 12/7/2015

Model Validation
FIELD DATA

WL1 – LKIM Jetty

WL2 – Tg Berhala

CM1

CM2

• Calibrate using WL1 and

CM1
• Verify at WL2 and CM2

37

Model Validation
• Calibration/Validation tolerance
– Water levels: <10%
– Currents:
• Magnitude: < 30%
• Direction: < 45 degrees
– General patterns shall be similar
• Differences between measured and
predicted values are treated as absolute
values over duration of comparison

38

19
 12/7/2015

Model Validation
VERIFICATION

39

Model Validation
VERIFICATION

40

20
 12/7/2015

Simulation of Impacts
• Impact simulation should cover the
following situations:
– ‘before project’; to study the existing
conditions
– ‘after project’; to study the affect of the project
– Each alternative design/layout proposals;
• Different orientations
• Various sizes and spacings of piles,
• Alternative widths of harbour entrance
41

Simulation of Impacts

• For study of annual erosion/siltation rates

– Test a combination of dominant cases based
on their percentage of occurrence
– Typical Malaysian annual scenario:
• North east monsoon (5 months, 40% )
• South west monsoon (5 months, 40%)
• Intermonsoon (2 months, 20%)

42

21
 12/7/2015

Simulation of Impacts
• Erosion and siltation rates
– Need to know annual rates
• Suspended sediment, thermal discharge and
pollutant plumes
– Seasonal/annual percentage exceedance plots;
shows how much they exceed the normal case
• Results presentation
– Allow easy inference of results
– Allow clear assessment of impacts
– must be able to show analytical process leading to
conclusive findings
43

Simulation of Impacts
WAVE MODELLING
• Important test scenarios
– Use MHWS as water level since largest
waves can only occur at the highest tides
– Need to include the results of wave modelling
hydrodynamic module to capture both wave
and tidal current effect
• Large waves lift bottom sediment into suspension
• Wave and tidal currents transport sediment
• Grid spacings must be small to resolve surf zone
(5 grid points minimum)

44

22
 12/7/2015

Simulation of Impacts
HYDRODYNAMIC MODULE
• To observe changes in the water levels
and current veolcity
– Tide condition used must be representative of
the season that is modelled
– Runs must at least capture MHWS tide levels
(when tidal velocities are maximum)
• Important test scenarios
– Wind, wave and tidal effects must be
considered for exposed coasts
45

Simulation of Impacts
ADVECTION/DISPERSION MODULE
• To determine thermal effluent / pollutant
dispersion patterns
– Check if the effluents are dispersed over a tidal cycle
– Need to run for 1 month (> 1 tidal cycle) to check for
total dispersion
• Important test scenario
– Use tides only (other agents help dispersion)
– High water levels in model should not exceed MHWS

46

23
 12/7/2015

Simulation of Impacts
ADVECTION/DISPERSION MODULE
• To determine suspended sediment
transport patterns
– Check if the effluents are dispersed over a
tidal cycle
– Need to run for 1 complete spring and neap
cycle, worst case condition
– Consider waves and wind
– Test for Various seasons

47

Simulation of Impacts
MUD TRANSPORT MODULE
• To determine transportation,
sedimentation, erosion, siltation patterns
– Test for various seasons, then combine to
produce annual rates
– Compare annual rates before and after
project
– Must show impact against existing sensitive
marine ecosystems / areas (overlay model
output with resource map)
48

24
 12/7/2015

Presentation of Results
• Matrix series
– on plan view of area
• vectors; current magnitude and direction
• contours;
– lines; water elevations, wave heights
– colours indicating range of depths, wave heights

• Time series
– regular or log plot
• parameter vs. time; e.g. current speed vs. time at a
selected point
49

Presentation of results
• Line series
– regular plot
• parameter vs. space; e.g. current speed along a
channel; wave heights along a line perpendicular
to shore
• Relationship
– time and line series can be extracted from
matrix series

50

25
 12/7/2015

Presentation of Results
HOW RESULTS ARE GENERATED
z z

0, 0 Line series; bed profile x

t=0 t = tn
Water level at point Xn, Yn vs. time

Z axis

datum
51
X axis

Presentation of Results
MODEL BATHYMETERY

bathymetery

52

26
 12/7/2015

Presentation of Results
WAVE MODELLING
• To observe changes in the wave pattern
due to the project:
– Plan view of wave pattern before and after
project;
– Difference diagrams; the difference in
magnitudes between ‘before’ and ‘after’
– Sectional transection showing wave height
variation before and after project

53

Presentation of Results
WAVE BREAKING IN HARBOUR

Wave height contours:

scale of presentation
must match model
resolution

Detail of physical objects

must capture actual
project orientation 54

27
 12/7/2015

50o
Wave Fields
Wave Height = 4 meter
Wave Period = 8.1 second

60o 80o

70o 90o

55

Wave field in a bay

3500 h (m)
3500 HW (m)

3000 18 6.75
3000
6.25
16
5.75
2500
14 2500 5.25

4.75
12
2000
2000 4.25
Y (m)

10
3.75

1500 8 3.25
1500
2.75
6
2.25
1000
4 1000 1.75

2 1.25
500 0.50
500
0.00

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
X (m)

56

28
 12/7/2015

Presentation of Results
Hydrodynamic module
• Results output
– Layout plan of current velocities (arrows)
– Difference plot of current velocities
– Variation plot of water levels at points of
interest

57

Presentation of Results

Hydrodynamic module
What are the
units?

58
What do the arrows and colours indicate?

29
 12/7/2015

Presentation of Results

Hydrodynamic module
Vector-arrows indicate
magnitude and direction of
current
Colurs indicate contours of
different speed range

Point series indicate

variation in water level
over time

59

Presentation of Results
Current Field during Flood Tide

60

30
 12/7/2015

Presentation of Results
Sedimentation Field at Jetty 420

410

400

390

380

100 m/day
60o
370 900 dz/dt
Above 0.01
0.005 - 0.01
0.002 - 0.005
360 0.001 - 0.002
0.0005 - 0.001
(Grid spacing 10meter)

-0.0005 - 0.0005
-0.001 - -0.0005
350 -0.002 - -0.001
-0.005 - -0.002
-0.01 - -0.005
Below -0.01
340

330
160o

320

310

300

290

61
280
490 500 510 520 530 540 550
490 500 510 520 530 540 550
490 500 510 520 530 540 550
(Grid spacing 10 meter) (Grid spacing 10 meter) (Grid spacing 10 meter)

Presentation of Results

500
Sediment Transport Field, Ebb Tide 500 500

480
480 480

460
60o 90o 130o
460 460

440
440 440 1e-005 m3/s/m
420
420 420

400
400 400

380

360
380 380
Sediment Transport
360 360

340
340 340
Above 9e-005
320

8e-005 - 9e-005
320 320

300 300 300

280 280
7e-005 - 8e-005
(Grid spacing 10meter)

280
(Grid spacing 10meter)
(Grid spacing 10meter)

260 260 260

240 240 240

6e-005 - 7e-005
220

200
220 220
5e-005 - 6e-005
200 200

180 180 180 4e-005 - 5e-005

160

140
160

140
160

140
3e-005 - 4e-005
120 120 120 2e-005 - 3e-005
100

80
100

80
100

80
1e-005 - 2e-005
60 60 60 Below 1e-005
40 40 40

20 20 20

0 0 0
450 500 550
(Grid spacing 10 meter)
600 450650 500 550
(Grid spacing 10 meter)
600 450 650 500 550
(Grid spacing 10 meter)
600 650
62

31
 12/7/2015

Presentation of results
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT

63

Types of Impacts
• Coastal erosion
– Project can interfere with natural coastal
processes and disrupt littoral drift
– Developer to be made responsible if project
causes stable or accreting coasts to erode
– Developer must propose mitigative measures
i.e. coastal protection

64

32
 12/7/2015

Results and Impacts

• Adverse Impacts to Rivermouth area
– Drainage and upstream flooding
• Increased tidal levels at rivermouth may lead to
upstream flooding
• Reduced velocities at rivermouth encourages
siltation, reduces flow capacity
• Lengthening hydraulic gradient, may cause
upstream flooding
• Developer to bear all cost to mitigate drainage
problems
• Solution subject to DID approval

65

Results and Impacts

• Rivermouth area
– Navigation problems at rivermouth
• Reduced flow velocities lead to siltation at
rivermouth
• Causes navigation problems due to:
– Shallow draft
– Narrow passage
• Causes berthing difficulties due to increased
sedimentation
• Developer to bear cost of mitigative measures

66

33
 12/7/2015

Results and Impacts

• Rivermouth area
– Tidal prism and salinity concentration in
estuary
• effects marine ecosystems
• Need to maintain tidal prism and salinity
concentration by periodical opening of rivermouth
– Reduced flushing capacity
• Decrease in exchange of riverine and tidal waters
• flushing necessary for removal and dilution of
effluent
67

Results and Impacts

• Increase in suspended sediment
concentration
– Usually follows sand mining & reclamation
activities
– When source and disposal areas are close
by, model both in a single layout
– Suspended sediment often temporary;
monitoring of threshold levels may be
necessary
68

34
 12/7/2015

Impact Assessment
• Destruction of coastal habitats
– Coral reefs & seagrass
• Ave increase in daytime SSC*
<10mg/l (std deviation 10% of ave
value)
• Ave increase in nightime SSC <25
mg/l
• Siltation <2mm/yr for sensitive areas

69
*suspended sediment concentration

Impact Assessment
• Destruction of coastal habitats
– Mangrove Forests
• Must show that tidal prism and salinity
pattern is maintained in the ‘after project’
scenario
– Public Beaches
• SSC maintained at <20 mg/l
• If ambient already > 20 mg/l, then daytime
increase not more that 5 mg/l

70

35
 12/7/2015

Impact Assessment
• Destruction of coastal habitats
– Fishing & Aquaculture areas
• Very sensitive to salinity and SSC
• Identified areas absolute SSC <50
mg/l

71

Coastal Engineering Hydraulic

Study Reports
• Structure & Content
– Project proposal: what they want to do
– Existing conditions: environment at site
– Anticipated impacts and model selection: what to
study and what modules will be used for the study
– Data: what needs to be collected and analysed
– Modelling: as per guidelines
– Potential impacts due to project
– Proposed mitigative measures
– Monitoring program
– Conclusion and recommendations
72

36
 12/7/2015

Coastal Engineering Hydraulic

Study Reports
• The consultant should quantify all the identified
impacts such as erosion, siltation, total
suspended sediment, drainage problems,
turbidity, etc.
• The project proposal should then be optimised
so as to minimise the impacts
• Based on the study, the consultant should also
propose :-
 mitigation measures to overcome the impacts

and
 monitoring plan in order to ensure that the

impacts are within the allowable limits 73

Coastal Engineering Hydraulic Study Reports

GOOD AND BAD REPORTS

• Good Reports • Bad Reports

– Project & area description
• Appropriately scaled maps to describe
existing and future layout, existing
natural resources/economic activies
• Secondary & primary data
– Impacts projected
• Comprehensive description of expected
impacts
• Elaborate description of problems and
scenarios
• Clear understanding of modelling tools
to use
– Unambiguous flow of study
• due processes given and links are clear
• Model scenarios as per guidelines
• Unambiguous data presentation; correct
scales and units
• Supported conclusions
– Commitment to mitigative measures
• Explicit listing of mitigative measures to
be undertaken
• Monitoring programme proposed
– Project & area description
• Maps in large scale
• Heavy dependence on secondary data
• Limited primary data
– Impacts projected
• Focus on annual impacts
• Poor problem description
• Elimination of test scenarios without due
process or analysis
– Study flow disjointed
• Linkage between study components not
clear
• Modelling guidelines not
followed/partially complied
• Scenarios not fully explored
• Limited data presentation
• Conclusions unsupported
– Commitment to mitigative measures
• Generalisation of measures and
undertaking
• No monitoring programme

74

37
 12/7/2015

Conclusion
• Hydraulic study is an essential component in
projects that involve land/water interaction
• Numerical modelling is now a widely accepted tool
in understanding, predicting and assessing impacts
• DID Guidelines 2001 is designed to guide hydraulic
and impact studies that involve numerical modelling
• Numerical models are simply tools that provide an
insight into what is happening and what may
happen in reality
• Not all cases require numerical modelling
75

76

38