An Analysis of Training Structure Designs in Southwest Pass, Mississippi River
Abstract
The Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River is the main navigation outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. As a part of planned efforts to stabilize the banks of the Southwest Pass and reduce maintenance dredging, improvements on the lower part of the river near the entrance were being reviewed due to the significant costs of this portion, in particular, the concrete pile inner bulkhead in the jetty reach. This report details an investigation which had as its primary objective to produce an alternative design which is lower in construction costs and provides comparable reduction of channel sedimentation relative to the inner bulkhead plan. This objective was undertaken by consideration of plans which modify the existing dike fields along the Southwest Pass channel. Seven plans (Plans A-G) and existing conditions were evaluated using the TABS-2 finite element numerical model RMA-2V to provide the flow fields and the Memphis District method and Colby's method for sediment transport capacities. The plan dike fields were developed as a logical progression by consideration of the uniformity of the longitudinal channel velocity and sediment transport capacity. Results indicate that the important element is the extension of the dike fields back to the jetty to prevent flow out of the channel and behind the dikes. Plan E, which involves the extension of only six existing dikes, provides nearly the same velocity profile and transport capacity as the inner bulkhead design (Plan G) at a fraction of the construction costs. Thus this plan is the recommended design.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA216113
Entities
People
- D. R. Richards
- R. C. Berger
- S. B. Heltzel
- W. D. Martin