Development of a CFD tool and associated experimental validation techniques for fluid mud bottoms disturbed by moving objects

In navigation areas with bottoms covered by a thick fluid mud layer, deep-drafted ships may be
allowed to sail at a limited vertical distance above the mud-water separation , and sometimes ships
even sail through the mud. This causes a very intense interaction between the water column, the
mud layer and the ship. The purpose of this project is to develop a numerical methodology to
calculate the interaction between water, mud and a moving object, which will lead to a better
understanding of the physical reality in such cases.
The project also comprises laboratory tests during which either objects are towed, or ship models
are navigating in the vicinity of a mud-water interface. This will not only allow a validation of the
numerical method, but will also lead to the development of general formulae for estimating forces
on flat plates, geometric objects, hydrofoils and ship hulls moving in or close to fluid mud. Such
formulations are mostly available for this type of bodies moving in water, but not in mud which has
flow properties which are much more complex compared to water.
Since classical measuring techniques for water cannot be applied in dense fluid mud layers, new
validation techniques are proposed and will be evaluated.
The results of the project will lead to a better understanding of the propulsion and manoeuvring of
ship in muddy navigation areas, but will also stimulate the development and improvement of
measurement techniques and dredging methods in such areas.