Abstract
In the present paper, the definition of fluid mud was reviewed in detail. The difference of fluid mud and sediment-induced density current were also discussed from several aspects, including physical characteristic, forming process and conditions. As far as the formation condition of fluid mud concerned, there are three key factors which are “weak hydrodynamic condition, high sedi-ment concentration, and obvious negative terrain”. Similarly, also three factors are very important for the formation condition of density current, which are “little velocity, large density difference and deep water depth”. Obviously, there exists a one-to-one relationship between formation conditions of fluid mud and those of density current. Thus a quantitative method for analyzing the formation condition of fluid mud was established reasonably by means of the formula describing sediment-induced density current. Consequentially the critical sediment concentration for fluid mud formation can be estimated by using the method. And the navigation channel of Lianyungang harbor in Jiangsu Province, China, was taken into account as a case study. The results show that the formation condition of fluid mud will be more easily satisfied with the increase of the approach channel depth in Lianyungang Harbor. The method and main conclusions can be used as reference for similar harbor project in muddy coast regions.
Published Version
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