Sediment transport studies at Visakhapatnam

The port of Visakhapatnam was constructed in 1933 and a large amount of information extending over 40 years is available regarding predominant drift of about 600,000 cu.m. per annum in the northerly directions. Despite the long term data available, it was considered necessary to carry out detailed model studies together with tracer studies in the prototype, before constructing an outer harbour which would provide for depths upto 20 m as against the available depth of 10 m in the inner harbour. The study revealed the importance of carrying out tracer studies for determining the transport of sediment particularly in the deeper contours. Since both fluorescent and radioactive techniques were utilized, the advantages and disadvantages of each method were brought to surface and are described. (author)