Physical modelling on coastal erosion due to runway extension at Terengganu Airport
Sultan Ismail International Airport was completed in 2010. Its runway was built on a reclaimed land that extend about 1 km offshore. A coastal revetment was also built to protect the reclaimed area from the impact of seasonal waves during Northeast Monsoon. After completion, the area at both ends of the revetment faced very critical erosion, manifested severe erosion about 60m of Tok Jembal coastline and up to 40m of Teluk Ketapang coastline. Numerical modeling carried out by other agency had anticipated that the shape of the reclamation will alleviate localized scouring and sedimentation problem although it will generate high current velocities which will attack the area at the end of the revetment especially during Northeast Monsoon with the presence of high waves. Following to this, NAHRIM conducted a study to find the best solution to mitigate the erosion problem. Marine data collection such as current speed, wave height, bathymetry, suspended sediment, tide level and beach profile measurements were carried out. A 1:130 scale physical model with different options were carried out in the wave basin to identify the best solution to mitigate the erosion problem. Various options were tested, and results show that installation of T-groins with appropriate length and orientation indicated some reduction in the erosion of the modeled coastline. Based on this finding, NAHRIM would like to urge related agencies to carry out physical modeling before implementing any mega projects in the coastal area as assessment using numerical modeling alone will not give good prediction of what will happen in the future.
Authors
Abstract
Sultan Ismail International Airport was completed in 2010. Its runway was built on a reclaimed land that extend about 1 km offshore. A coastal revetment was also built to protect the reclaimed area from the impact of seasonal waves during Northeast Monsoon. After completion, the area at both ends of the revetment faced very critical erosion, manifested severe erosion about 60m of Tok Jembal coastline and up to 40m of Teluk Ketapang coastline. Numerical modeling carried out by other agency had anticipated that the shape of the reclamation will alleviate localized scouring and sedimentation problem although it will generate high current velocities which will attack the area at the end of the revetment especially during Northeast Monsoon with the presence of high waves. Following to this, NAHRIM conducted a study to find the best solution to mitigate the erosion problem. Marine data collection such as current speed, wave height, bathymetry, suspended sediment, tide level and beach profile measurements were carried out. A 1:130 scale physical model with different options were carried out in the wave basin to identify the best solution to mitigate the erosion problem. Various options were tested, and results show that installation of T-groins with appropriate length and orientation indicated some reduction in the erosion of the modeled coastline. Based on this finding, NAHRIM would like to urge related agencies to carry out physical modeling before implementing any mega projects in the coastal area as assessment using numerical modeling alone will not give good prediction of what will happen in the future.
Citation
Mohd Radzi Abd Hamid, Nor Aslinda Awang, V. Kartigeyan. 2013. Physical modelling on coastal erosion due to runway extension at Terengganu Airport. Digital NAHRIM Publication Repository.