Study of Erosion Mechanism by Modelling Abandoned Yellow River Delta

Abstract

Three dimensional physical model designed to study erosion mechanism of estuary subaqueous delta is one of the most important approaches for investigating erosion mechanism of delta; In this study, effects of pore water pressure on seabed and subsequent alterations of seabed topography during wave action were examined by using a physical model. This model provides a good tool to understand impacts of silt liquefaction on the seabed, the whole process of erosion of estuary subaqueous delta, formation and changes of sandbars, and the forces and changes of soft strata through interaction with wave action. We have demonstrated that the characteristic features of a soft stratum and the erosive forces existing in its aquatic environment tend to induce rheological diversification and creep. This often leads to ultimate diapir causing significant damages to underwater and offshore engineering facilities. Moreover, submarine sand wave is a common geomorphological feature of seabed. Impacts of waves and seabed topography on the formation and characteristics of sand waves are analyzed particularly in this study.