Morphological Changes Downstream Beni-Suef Bridge on the Nile River in Egypt

Authors

Muhammad Ahmad Abdul-Muttalib, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, EgyptFollow
Ahmed Moustafa Moussa, Professor, Deputy Director of Coastal Research Institute (CRI), National Water Research Center (NWRC), Alexandria, EgyptFollow
Gamal Helmy Elsaeed, Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, EgyptFollow
Suzan Ahmed Mohammed, Lecturer Assistant, Ministry of Higher Education, EgyptFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70259/engJER.2025.931997

Abstract

The construction of the Beni-Suef bridge, spanning 550 meters over the Nile River, resulted in sediment accumulation and hindered navigation. This study investigates the causes of the morphodynamic changes and explores the impact of dredging as a mitigation measure through the area which extended approximately 2.6 kilometers downstream the bridge. A one-dimensional numerical model (HEC-RAS) was employed, utilizing bathymetric surveyed cross-sections from 1982, 2002, and 2004, along with discharge data from downstream Assuit Barrage and water levels from upstream Delta Barrage as boundary inputs. The model was calibrated and validated using measured water and bed levels. Sediment properties and bed composition were incorporated based on samples collected by the Nile Research Institute. Three distinct sediment load formulas were utilized to identify the most suitable one for accurately capturing the physical characteristics of the studied area. After validation, the model was utilized to forecast cross sections for 10 and 20 years, in case of with and without dredging scenarios. The dredging approach was aligned with the navigation requirements in the study region. The study reveals that the Ackers-White sediment formula showed the closest match with minimal differences in deposition and erosion compared to other formulas. Besides, the study area is predominantly experiencing deposition, which is projected to continue in the future. In addition, the predicted sediment volumes were concentrated at the beginning of the study area in both scenarios. The findings indicate also that most depositions occurred in the initial ten years approaching a state of morphodynamic equilibrium. Moreover, the results showed that the dredging reduced rates of sedimentation by 23% and 26% after 10 and 20 years, respectively, which provide an effective solution for mitigating sedimentation along the navigation path in the study area.

Recommended Citation

Abdul-Muttalib, Muhammad Ahmad; Moussa, Ahmed Moustafa; Elsaeed, Gamal Helmy; and Mohammed, Suzan Ahmed (2025) "Morphological Changes Downstream Beni-Suef Bridge on the Nile River in Egypt," Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 9: Iss. 3, Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70259/engJER.2025.931997
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/erjeng/vol9/iss3/12