Using difference modelling and computational fluid dynamics to investigate the evolution of complex, tidally influenced shipwreck sites

The large number of historic metal-hulled shipwrecks on the seabed is a major consideration for marine environment, heritage management and spatial planning. Their stability driven by linked hydro- sediment-dynamics, which in turn influence chemical corrosion biological encrustation. dynamism at underwater sites frequently expressed elaborate patterns depositional erosional features developed due to scour. These settings are complex, variable morphologies wrecks, diverse types geology geomorphology. Not only flow geomorphic changes shipwreck not fully understood, but how these wreck structures remains under-researched. Here we combine high-resolution multibeam echosounder, ocean current sediment data with 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigate interrelations between sediment-dynamics deterioration two submerged tidally-influenced shipwrecks. Intricate wake horseshoe vortices observed, modelled wall shear stresses predict recorded 4-year one-week interval difference models. Moreover, substantial damage detected correlated areas elevated stress pressure CFD simulations. combined approach aids site provides analogies offshore engineering.