BSDM

BSDM is a computer-based modelling program that predicts the near-field transport of open water barge disposed sediments. Open water disposal is commonly associated with the dredging activity, which releases dredged materials into designated disposal site through barges. BSDM aims to support the environmental impact assessment in the near-field region resulting from barged sediments disposal. The model provides the transient behaviours of descending cloud and horizontal spreading of gravity current upon impacts with the seabed, as well as the subsequent bottom deposition profile.

The methodology of BSDM takes into account the realistic physical condition in which the disposed sediments, due to large and finite amount of sediments typically carried by the barge, will initially descend as a sediment plume and then transit into a discrete sediment cloud after the barged sediments are fully discharged. BSDM also includes the geometrical factor of the rectangular barge opening.

There are two versions of BSDM: v2.0 and v2.0E available at the moment. BSDM v2.0 is designed for the near-field water quality assessment and to couple with far-field model for the modelling of far-field dispersion. BSDM v2.0E applies the same methodology as v2.0, and is suitable for the planning of disposal operation. This is particularly useful for the capping operation to minimise the resuspension of local sediments. Please refer here for the list of features of each version.