Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Velocity Field Inside an Artificial Reef. Application to the Ares-Betanzos Estuary

The placement of artificial reef (AR) units on the seabed modifies velocity field water, making nutrients circulate properly and creating necessary habitat for settlement desired species. This paper proposes a methodology determining circulation in vicinity one specific AR unit module previously defined existing literature. has been based both application three-dimensional hydrodynamic criteria computational fluid dynamics (CFD) together with their validation using towing tank tests. In order to achieve goals, starting points are initial design 3D model estuary. latter predicts nutrient supply each by taking into account variation speeds height. From vertical profile velocities, developed implantation site, CFD tool is used determine unit, around 5 times size. Then, results validated carrying out experiments. main contribution combine estuary Although this work was applied Ares-Betanzos estuary, it can be extrapolated other zones worldwide.