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CSIR Built Environment's Coastal Engineering and Port Infrastructure
research group, originally established in 1971, provides
predictive engineering solutions and decision support for
the safe and cost-effective development and operation of
ports and coastal sites.
The group aims to use its expert knowledge, highly qualified
and locally-based personnel to deliver solutions to engineering
problems relating to ports and coasts.
The group is part of the CSIR’s Built Environment
Unit, and as such, is heavily involved in research projects.
This research is supported by highly qualified personnel
and almost 30 years of experience in the coastal and port
engineering environment.
The group’s major clients are large international
and local consultants, government-funded companies, and
smaller private entities. The group strives to carry out
research and external projects in an efficient and cost-effective
manner, while remaining in close liaison with its clients.
The group has a broad range of expertise and offers a wide
range of services and facilities, including:
Key competencies and services
- Physical modelling of ports and coastal structures
- Physical modelling of environmental impact on ports
and coastal structures
- Physical and numerical modelling of moored and manoeuvring
ships
- Prototype monitoring of coastal structures
- Wave fore- and hind casting, wave diffraction, refraction
and reflection modelling
- Collection and management of environmental and wave
data
- Deployment and maintenance of wave buoys and current
measuring equipment
About the Coastal Engineering and
Port Infrastructure group
List of Contacts
Download and read: Coastal
Engineering and Port Infrastructure [PDF]
HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
 CSIR
Built Environment's Hydraulics Laboratory in Stellenbosch
is the site of a unique physical model hall, the only one
of its size and complexity in South Africa. Officially opened
in 1968, it was primarily developed for coastal engineering
and hydraulic model studies in the pursuit of applied research
and development related to coastal engineering, harbour development,
estuary hydraulics and sediment transportation in the marine
environment. Currently the hydraulic laboratory is used mainly
for breakwater and river/dam hydraulics studies.
 Facilities
include:
Other facilities include:
- Wind wave flume, 100m x 3 m x 1000 mm
- Flow channel, 25m x 3500 mm x 1500 mm
- Flow channel, 25m x 750 mm x 1000 mm
- Deepwater tank, 30m x 18 m x 2000 mm, Additional 1.5
m pit in centre
 Armour
Unit Manufacture
The CSIR’s Materials Science and Manufacturing
unit has developed specific methodologies and high-tech
processes to replicate densities and sizes of armour units
within very close tolerances. The maximum mass of the armour
units that can be manufactured is approximately 160g, depending
on the shape of the unit. Precise moulds are manufactured
locally. Armour units can be hired out for use in model
studies.
Recent projects include:
METOCEAN, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SPECIALIST METOCEAN,
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SPECIALIST WIND MONITORING AND ANALYSIS
 This
group uses state-of-the-art equipment to collect data (real
time as well as stand-alone) on a number of environmental
parameters, including:
- waves
- currents
- tide
- water quality
- wind (including specialist wind studies relating to
wind energy)
- statistical analyses of data for design and numerical
modelling
 Data
are analysed and displayed using software developed in-house,
as well as commercial software. The SCUBA dive unit is used
for deployment and maintenance of our measuring equipment.
Water craft is shared with that of the marine survey team.
Recent projects include:
- Saldanha Bay currents project (waves and currents for
 numerical
modelling)
- Table Bay waves and currents project (waves and currents
for numerical modelling)
- Atlantic offshore dredge project (waves, currents,
turbidity and water quality)
- Richards Bay dredge project (currents and turbidity
for numerical modelling)
Wavenet
 For more than
three decades, the CSIR has been a major technology partner
to the National Ports Authority of South Africa (NPA). As
the operator of all major ports in South Africa, the NPA
identified the need for a wave recording system able to
provide real-time wave information at Port Control. A system
was developed not only for the display of the wave information
but also for archiving the data for future use. A website, WaveNet was created to show the last 2-3 days of real time data.
This system consists of a number of components, including
the following:
 wave
recording instrument, usually a Waverider buoy - base station on shore, consisting of a PC capable of
receiving the incoming wave data, displaying the necessary
wave information and transmitting the relevant data to
the central station, and
- central station at Stellenbosch. Data from all the base
stations around the coast are received and processed for
archiving on the marine databases in Stellenbosch
- Later additions to the system include the recoding of
winds, tides and currents.
Using this system, a network of wave stations (WaveNet)
was established. At present, WaveNet comprises six NPA and
one Mossgas station (the latter is offshore natural gas
situated off Mossel Bay in South Africa). In addition, as
these environmental data are valuable for forecast purposes,
an access link was established for the South African Weather
Services (SAWS). The data are therefore available for the
daily operations of the SAWS forecasting office. In return,
the NPA receives 48-hour wave forecasts for all its ports
and harbours. This system (or a similar system) could be
established at other suitable locations for similar purposes.
NUMERICAL MODELLING
The numerical modelling team is proficient in modelling
of ocean waves and currents. The group uses the latest modelling
software to predict and simulate wave, current and wind
conditions. Researchers work with the Delft 3d modelling
suite and the ACES program.
Models are calibrated with data gathered by the Metocean
team. Bathymetry input is measured and compiled by the
marine
survey unit. This information enables better calibration
techniques and reliability of results.
The team’s numerical modellers work in close conjunction
with modellers in the CSIR's Natural Resources and Environment
Unit, who model beach and sediment dynamics.
Recent projects include:
- Wave modelling for Swakopmund Marina in Namibia
- CT numerical wave modelling in Delft 3d
- Wave diffraction study in Saldanha Bay, South Africa
Interaction between researchers and Masters and PhD students,
who participate in the group’s in-house training programme,
enables the team to broaden its knowledge base. The group
is strengthening its modelling capabilities in the fields
of ship manoeuvring (upgrading of current software) and
wave transformation (smooth particle hydrodynamics)
MARINE SURVEY UNIT
The fully equipped Marine Survey Unit conducts specialist
surveys of the marine environment. It has a dedicated ski
boat for survey operations, a catamaran rubber duck for
harbour surveys, instrument deployment and diving/probing
operations, and a small rubber duck for estuarine and river
work.
Areas of specialisation:
- Single-beam and multi-beam echo sounder hydro-graphic
survey
- Geophysical and hydro-graphic side-scan sonar survey
- Magnetometer surveys
- Prototype monitoring of breakwater, revetments and
slopes
Recent projects include:
- Geophysical and hydrographical survey for the Tema
oil refinery in Ghana
- Prototype monitoring of breakwater of Ports of Cape
Town, Durban, Richards Bay, Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront,
Saldanha Bay, Port St Francis, Mossel Bay and Ngqura
- Multi-beam survey of Port of Ngqura
- Crane-and-ball survey of Port of Durban breakwaters
- Tristan da Cunha bathymetric and beach topographic
survey and breakwater monitoring
- Aerial monitoring and multi-beam survey of Palm Jumeirah,
Dubai, UAE
SHIP MOTION STUDIES
 For
the optimal design and operation of ports and terminals,
a good understanding of the behaviour of ships is essential.
This relates to manoeuvring ships in the entrance channel,
ships moored at quays, jetties or buoys and anchored ships.
Quantification of ship dynamics and ship behaviour is done
by a number of tools, such as physical models, numerical
models or manoeuvring simulators.
The group specialises in:
- Depth design of entrance channels and turning basins
- Width design of entrance channels
- Forces in mooring lines and fenders
- Optimising port layout
 For
the depth design of entrance channels and turning basins,
which are exposed to wave action, the vertical motions of
the design vessel(s) are important, in addition to squat
and other water level, ship related or bed related factors.
The ship response to wave action is mainly computed by calibrated
numerical models, for which the CSIR is using VESDYN, a
3D hydrodynamics model. A probabilistic approach is followed
to optimise the overall manoeuvring risk. This model is
also used for the computation of operational limits of safe
use of the channel by deep-draught vessels and the associated
risks.
 For
the width design of entrance channels, a ship manoeuvring
simulator is used (usually after a conceptual design on
the basis of PIANC guidelines for channel width design).
For this purpose, the CSIR uses the SimFlex
ship manoeuvring simulator. Statistical procedures are applied
to determine the width as a function of acceptable probability
of exceedance and risk.
To determine the maximum motions of moored ships and the
maximum forces in the mooring lines and fenders, physical
models are often used. For conditions which can be simplified
to open water conditions, the VESDYN model can also be applied.
The computed conditions lead to the possibility of optimising
the mooring layout and the efficiency of loading and unloading.
Similar computations can be used for the design of spread-mooring
or anchoring systems. Furthermore, berthing impact forces
can be computed for the design of fender systems and quay
walls.
Recent projects include:
- Design studies for the Port of Saldanha:
design of approach channels, mooring studies for bulk
carriers, ship manoeuvring simulations, relocation of
the oil terminal, SPM conceptual design
- Design studies for the Port of Cape Town:
design of approach channels, mooring studies for container
vessels, ship manoeuvring simulations
- Ship manoeuvring simulations for the new Port
of Ngqura.
- Ship manoeuvring simulations for the Port of
Durban, directed at the design of the to be widened
and deepened entrance channel and at the operational conditions
during construction
- Ship manoeuvring studies for the Ports of Beira
and Nacala, Mozambique, including tug-barge
towage feasibility and operations
- Port and terminal planning studies for the DRC.
The CSIR is represented on a number of PIANC working groups.
PIANC is the International Navigation Association, in which
the harbour authorities of many countries are represented.
PIANC regularly publishes guidelines for the design of harbour
structures, reflecting state-of-the-art knowledge and practices.
ABOUT THE COASTAL ENGINEERING
AND PORT INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM
From left to right:
Back row: Marius Rossouw ; Eugene Mabille ; Dr. Wim
Van Der Molen; Auke Algera; Craig Johnson; Kishan Tulsi;
Alexander Van Dyzen.
Middle: Greg Davies; Masupha Letsie; Andre Leith; Robert
Vonk; Norman Van Der Westhuizen; Stephen Hendricks.
Seated: Ursula Von St Ange; Hans Moes; Juanita Van Heerden;
David Phelp; Louise Watt
LIST OF CONTACTS
RESEARCH GROUP LEADER
Dave Phelp
dphelp@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2539
HYDRAULICS LABORATORY
Kishan Tulsi
ktulsi@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2455
SHIP MOTION STUDIES
Hans Moes
hmoes@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2516
NUMERICAL MODELLING
Marius Rossouw
mrossouw@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2513
WAVE, CURRENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Eugene Mabille
emabille@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2627
WAVENET
Jan Kuipers
jkuipers@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2424
MARINE SURVEY UNIT
Robert Vonk
rvonk@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2604
SCUBA DIVE UNIT
Eugene Mabille
emabille@csir.co.za
(+27) 21 888 2627
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