Prediction of Siltation in the Downstream Approach Channel of Tidal Locks

Silt deposition occurs in the downstream approach-channel of the tidal lock as in a closed channel or excavated dock basin. It is often difficult to calculate or predict siltation because of complex flow and sediment conditions and many other affecting factors. In this paper, the characteristics of flow movement in the approach channel (including its mouth) of the tidal lock are analyzed, the basic laws of sediment movement and siltation mechanism are investigated, the conditions for three types of siltation (circumfluence siltation, density flow siltation and slow flow siltation) are discussed, and corresponding calculating formulas are proposed. A practical example shows that the difference between measured and calculated results is small, indicating that the present calculating methods could be used in design and management of practical engineering projects.