Design of an environmental friendly shore protection measure for Kadalur Periyakuppam, Tamil Nadu using hydrodynamic model studies.

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:mangal;="" mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"="">Hydrodynamic model has been set up for the area with proposed measures using Delft 3D package and a sustainable solution for long term benefit is determined. The model domain considered for the study is 15km along the shoreline and 7 km seawards up to approximately 25 m water depths. Bathymetry for the model is based on interpolation of primary data collection by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) survey data and General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) data. Submerged reef using geosynthetic tubes is found to be the most effective shore protection measure. Modelling is carried out for various combinations of the dyke configuration viz., variation in height of dyke, providing gaps of different widths and also orientation of dyke. The configuration consisting of shore parallel submerged dyke of 3.5 m height consisting of 200 m long dyke segments separated by 60 m gaps at 4 m water depths run for 1 year, is found to provide the best alternative resulting in accretion on the land side of the segments thus preventing erosion along the shoreline. In addition to its effectiveness, it is an environmental friendly solution enabling the fishermen to carry out their livelihood without any hindrance. This study describes the modelling studies carried out to check the effectiveness of submerged reef by varying dyke height and also with provision of gaps between the reefs.</span>