Tracking of Floating Objects in the Area of Chao Phraya River Mouth by Using Numerical Model

Abstract

The Delft3D Numerical model was used for a 2-dimensional study on tracking floating objects movement by releasing drogues at the area of Chao Phraya River mouth on 26th – 27th January 2017. Winds, tides, river discharge, temperature and salinity were considered as the main driving forces for the floating objects movement for the study periods of 18 hours. Result showed that the surface current of Chao Phraya River are mainly driven by winds, tides and river discharge resulted to the movement of floating objects. The Numerical model are able to simulate the movement of the buoy floats with the proximity of results from field measurements. Though, model simulation movement are further compared to field measurements with the average error at the distance of 2.04 + 1.54 kilometers. This difference might be caused by the dissimilar buoyancy, weight and body shape of the buoy. Further developed by using a 3-dimensional Numerical model are recommended.  Keywords:  floating objects ;  numerical model ;  Chao Phraya river mouth