Author(s): Mosaab Mahgoub; Said Alhaddad

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Abstract: Sediment deposition is a critical problem in water reservoirs. It decreases storage capacity, hydropower efficiency, and water supply reliability. Dredging is one of the efficient sediment management approaches for solving this problem especially when flushing or bypassing are empirical. Cutter suction dredgers (CSDs) are widely utilized in reservoir dredging. Its rotating cutterhead makes it suitable for disintegrating different bed deposits. Also, its stationary swinging-stepping working method allows for accurate cutting profiles. However, the near-field environment around the cutterhead is not sufficiently understood. It includes different sediment resuspension mechanisms and dynamic interactions. In this study we are covering one of the knowledge gaps related to cutter suction dredging in reservoirs. This study experimentally investigates the dynamic interaction between the rotating cutterhead and the generated turbidity currents and the impact on its dynamic characteristics and sediment transport capacity. The results of this study show that increasing the rotational speed of the cutterhead enhances water entrainment and vertical mixing inside the turbidity current promoting less stratified turbidity currents. On the other hand, increasing the suction discharge decelerates the turbidity current and reduces its thickness. These findings provide process-level insight for designing CSD operations in reservoirs and contribute to sustainable sediment management strategies.

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Year: 2026