Tidal Hydraulics

Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.

Course Outline

Tidal course will cover the hydrodynamic analysis of estuarine systems.  Tidal effects such as wind and gravitational forces will be discussed.

This course will provide problem solving techniques and environmental considerations for estuarine engineering projects. The course materials are based solely on the engineer manual “Tidal Hydraulics” as found on the website of the Army Corps of Engineering.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:

• The definition of an estuary;
• The classifications of estuaries;
• How fjords are formed;
• The importance of the Simmons ratio;
• The variables that influence saltwater and freshwater mixing;
• How the sun and moon effects the tides;
• The definition of diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed tides;
• How wind is formed in the earth’s atmosphere;
• How subsidence is caused;
• How storm tides are caused;
• The effect of the earth’s rotation on water flow;
• How salt facilitates the coagulation of soil materials;
• The preferable way to characterize sediment;
• How to measure the degree of cohesion of clay;
• Factors that must be addressed during the design of control works projects;
• Proper location of salinity barriers;
• The role of congress in authorizing channel dimensions;
• The detailed methods of agitation dredging;
• Which acts of congress provides for protection of our estuaries and water quality;
• The pH level of fine-grained sediments;
• How dredged materials can impact the environment;
• How particle size effects soil cohesion;
• How to determine the Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR);
• How the settling rate of soil particles are determined;
• The role played by cation and anions in soil cohesion;
• The value of the empirical erosion rate constant and its use;
• How the equation to find the critical value of entrainment is derived;
• The different types of sedimentary environments.

Intended Audience and Benefit

This course is intended for anyone with an interest in hydraulics, hydrology, environmental engineering, water resources, oceanography or anyone wanting to learn more information regarding estuaries and tidal hydraulics.

Course Introduction

Estuaries can be defined as an area of interaction between salt and freshwater. They can be classified by topography and salinity structure. The topographic classifications are coastal plain estuaries, fjords, and bar-built estuaries. The major salinity classifications are highly stratified, partially mixed, and well-mixed.

This 7 hour course will examine the design guidance for the development of estuaries to improve navigation and flood control projects. Several different design factors will be discussed such as, water quality, navigational safety, and flooding.

Course Content

This course will provide problem solving techniques and environmental considerations for estuarine engineering projects. The course materials are based solely on the engineer manual “Tidal Hydraulics” as found on the website of the Army Corps of Engineering. This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Tidal Hydraulics

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Course Summary

The information presented in this course could be used to enhance the student’s knowledge of tidal hydraulics and estuary engineering. Using this knowledge could enable to reader to design safe and efficient, navigational channels and flood controls for estuaries.
 
Using good engineering judgment is always paramount in any design process. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course can provide the knowledge to design estuaries safely and effectively.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.noaa.gov/

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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