Research Assistant (4 Months & Contracted Through 3rd Party)

Overview of Grant
The rapid growth of the construction industry has sharply increased sand demand, leading to extensive sediment extraction from the Mekong River. The natural sediment supply from upstream is insufficient to replenish the Delta, causing riverbed erosion and riverbank instability.
Computational Fluid Mechanics (CFD) 3D simulation software will be used to accurately replicate the fluid and sediment dynamics of sand mining within a realistic configuration of the Mekong River. These simulations complement experimental studies, providing more comprehensive datasets, which allow a fuller understanding of the river dynamics.
The 3D model produces four-dimensional (space and time variation) data of flow velocity pressure and energy, and sediment transport deposition and erosion rate.
This results in a dynamic representation of the river flow and morphology, allowing for detailed analysis of erosion patterns under different sand mining configurations.
Aligned with the Mekong River Commission's goal to maintain the ecological function of the Mekong River Basin, this project aims to understand sand mining dynamics better to minimize unsustainable extraction.
This research aims to explore potential solutions to mitigate the impacts of sand extraction. Specifically, we aim to answer two questions:
How can confining sand extraction to the middle of the river channel reduce riverbank erosion, and to what extent does this practice differ from traditional sand mining configurations in terms of erosion patterns and riverbank stability? What valuable insights can be gained from analysing and comparing erosion patterns and riverbank stability in configurations where sand extraction is confined to the central channel, and how can these insights inform potential strategies for minimizing erosion and protecting communities along the river?
Report to Chief investigator
Indirectly reports to the Office of Research and Innovation
Key Accountabilities
Conduct literature review.
Work with the team to identify the most appropriate simulation parameters.
Set up and implement a CFD simulation for the representation of the river system.
Work with the team to monitor and evaluate the simulation output.
Work with the team to visualize the data output of the simulations