Simulation numérique du transport des sables sous l’effet des vents dans le golfe de Tunis

Abstract

Sediment dynamics along a littoral is closely dependent on the direction and the intensity of the littoral currents generated by winds, waves and tides. The objective of this study is to simulate the water circulation and the non cohesive sediment (sand) transport along the littoral of the gulf of Tunis only under the effect of winds. Several wind directions were imposed on the 2D hydrodynamic model MIKE21 while keeping the speed at a constant 7 m.s-1. The resulting stationary currents were then imposed to the non cohesive sediment transport model MIKE21-ST. The numerical simulations showed that the rates of transport along the eastern side of the gulf of Tunis (RasFartas, Soliman) are more important than those along the western side (Sidi Bou-Said, La Goulette) because of the combined effects of the swell and closely spaced isobaths.