About Myself and the Website

I am a civil engineer specialized in coastal, maritime port hydraulics and ocean engineering, with more than 40 years of versatile work experience and research in North America and abroad. This Website (Widecanvas Home Page) represents a front-head label to my professional experience, expertise and initiative: the Consulting – Coastal, Port and Marine Engineering. In addition to highlighting my professional profile summary – the label brings in articles of versatile interests – of scientific, technical and social topics and importance. With this series of articles I intend to present and share my perspective on wide ranging issues, hopefully in ways that have developed out of my long experience in the applied physics of science, engineering and technology. 
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​Is it something unusual to do by professionals like me? Well not really. Echoing with Einstein (1879 – 1955) who wrote in an essay on Moral Decay published in 1937: All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man’s life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom.
To give an idea, in this Website I wish to bring to focus some of the topics that matter to all of us. We all see the world differently – it is so natural because it depends on where we stand in our cultural differences, and in the phase of life – we have different interests, training, understandings and views of life and everything that surrounds us. But, at the same time we need more of convergence than the promotion and proliferation of divergence – in aspects that matter to the common destiny of humans and all creatures – defined by Nature and the Environment we live in. The stake is too high for not doing things otherwise – much more than what we tend to comprehend and realize.
Due to such differences, the wide range of topics I am covering may not equally appeal to all. This may appear so despite my efforts to articulate them in an interesting manner - as an attempt to converge things - most often relying on the Reductionist paradigm to arrive at reasonable Deductions. Perhaps the NATURE (Science of Nature) and the SOCIAL INTERACTIONS pages may appeal to most of us than the SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY engineering page. But I like to assure that if you read the articles patiently you would find them interesting and refreshing. In some of the pieces – I drifted to ancient wisdoms – diving deep into intellectual and philosophical queries, and have found the them very enriching and insightful in clearly understanding things from different perspectives. These efforts have been helpful in expressing some aspects in the formats of Essays, Poems, Story-telling, Master-disciple Dialogues and Koans. In many of them, I have attempted to philosophize a topic or issue in order to go deep into it to understand things from the angle of true perspective.
The articles are dynamic or living in a sense that I try to update them when I come across or learn new ideas and materials.
Some of the pieces on the NATURE page and on the SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY page could easily belong to one or the other; my preferences are purely judgmental. An example is the piece, Upslope Events and Downslope Processes posted in NATURE – but covering all three premises of WIDE CANVAS. Well it is only the Science of Nature - the illuminating torch that has the capability to guide one venturing into the fields of Technology and Engineering. 

Research, and Engineering at the Waterfront and In-Water within Coastal Environments – the following is a Brief on my Versatile Experience, Background and Major Specialties.
 
COASTAL: Metocean – Wind, Wave and Tide; Sea Level Rise – Science, Consequences and Adaptation; Storm Surge and Tsunami; Integrated Coupled Modeling – Wind, Wave, Current, Sediment Transport and Morphology; Cross-shore and Longshore Sand Transport; Coastal Protection; Intakes and Outfalls; Stability of Seabed Pipeline; Wind, Wave and Current Loading; Wave-Structure Interactions - reflection, runup, transmission, overtopping and scour; Inlet; Surf Zone Beach Dynamics and Sand Nourishment; Residual Motion and Transport; Effects Assessment; Coastal Processes – Characterization and Planning
MARITIME & PORT: Harbor Dynamics; Fixed and Floating Breakwaters; Mooring System – Static Stability and Dynamic Ship Motion; Berthing Impact and Fender; Berthing Downtime; LNG Terminal; Propwash Scour Protection; Harbor Sedimentation and Dredging; Vessel Maneuvering and Approach Channel; Navigation and Navigation Aids
RIVERS & ESTUARIES: Hydraulics and Morphodynamics; Flow Turbulence and Eddies; Bedform Dynamics and Flow Resistance; Sediment Load; Seasonality Hydraulics; Optimization of Measurements and Gaging Network; Characterizing: Mobility, Adaptation and Equilibrium in Alluvium, Environmental Controls and Functions; Management and Development Strategy
ORGANIZATION & PROJECTS: Management and Leadership; Coordination; Standards, Codes and Regulations – Best Engineering Practices; Uncertainty and Risk; Scenarios and Multi-criteria Screening of Alternative Solutions; Reviews, Committees and Consultations
COUNTRIES OF EXPERIENCE: Canada; USA; Bangladesh; New Caledonia (Oceania); Vietnam; Indonesia; UAE (Abu Dhabi); Chile; Peru; Mexico; St. Lucia (West Indies) 
REPORTS & PUBLICATIONS: Many Project Reports; Publications; and Conference Presentations
TEACHING: Adjunct Professor of Ocean Engineering FIT, Florida
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATION: EGBC (Retired; P.Eng. 2000-2022); ASCE (M. ASCE since 1994); COPRI; IAHR; AGU; ISOPE; IEB (Life Fellow)
EDUCATION: BUET 1977; Delft the Netherlands 1982; The University of South Carolina 1992 
I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In addition to what are inked in this Website, also see my contributions/discussions on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) forum: https://collaborate.asce.org/ where I have interacted with fellow colleagues and engineers.
More aspects of the profile are in:
ORCID ID
Google Scholar
Semantic Scholar

Some of my selected publication/presentation/work titles:
Barua DK (2017). Wave Hindcasting (updated chapter). Encyclopedia of Coastal Science (2nd ed), CW Finkl and C Makowski (Eds). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_347-2
ResearchGate Link
OA.mg link
Barua DK (2017). Beaufort Wind Scale (updated chapter). Encyclopedia of Coastal Science (2nd ed), CW Finkl and C Makowski (Eds). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_45-2 
Barua DK (2017). Seabed Roughness of Coastal Waters. Encyclopedia of Coastal Science (2nd ed), CW Finkl and C Makowski (Eds). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48657-4_360-1
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (2017). Coastal Upwelling and Downwelling (updated chapter). Encyclopedia of Coastal Science (2nd ed), CW Finkl and C Makowski (Eds). Springer International Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3880-1_88
Barua DK (2015). Longshore Sand Transport – An Examination of Methods and Associated Uncertainties. Proceedings of the Coastal Sediments Conference, May 11-15, 2015, San Diego, California, World Scientific. 
​https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814689977_0061
Barua DK, Crum P, Truitt C and Walther M (2013). Integrated Modeling and Sedimentation Management: the Case of Salt Ponds Inlet and Harbor in Virginia. Proceedings of the Ports 2013 Conference, Seattle, Washington, ASCE, pp. 512-521.
https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413067.053
Barua DK (2011). Role of Parameter Uncertainty in Design Decisions – Analytical Assessment for a Coastal Breakwater and Harbor Entrance Sedimentation. 21st ISOPE Paper 2011-TPC-230 (not presented). Session #123, COASTAL IX: Coastal Structures 2; June 23, 2011, Maui, Hawaii, USA.
Barua DK, Fontaine T and Walther M (2010). Sand Placement Design on a Sand Starved Clay Shore at Sargent Beach, Texas. 23rd Annual National Conference on Beach Preservation Technology, February 3-5, 2010. Melbourne, Florida, FSBPA.
Barua DK, Walther M and Truitt C (2009). Littoral Shoreline Change in the Presence of Hardbottom – Approaches, Constraints and Integrated Modeling. 22nd Annual National Conference on Beach Preservation Technology, February 18-20, 2009. St. Pete Beach, Florida, FSBPA.
Barua DK (2008). Discussion of “Management of Fluid Mud in Estuaries, Bays and Lakes. I: Present State of Understanding on Character and Behavior.” by WH McAnally et al. ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 134(10), 1541 p.
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2008)134:10(1541)
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (2008). Wave Loads on Piles – Spectral versus Monochromatic Approach. Proceedings, 18th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, ISOPE (International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers) Vancouver, BC, Canada, 297-301 pp.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286407423
https://www.onepetro.org/conference-paper/ISOPE-I-08-124
Barua DK (2008). A Dynamic Approach to Characterize a Coastal System for Computational Modelling and Engineering. Proceedings of the Canadian Coastal Zone Conference, Coastal Zone Canada Association (CZCA), UBC, Vancouver, 23 – 29 May, 2008, Page 70.
Barua DK (2008). Discussion of “Maximum Fluid Forces in the Tsunami Runup Zone.” by H Yeh, ASCE Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 134(3), 199-200.
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-950X(2008)134:3(199)
Barua DK, Allyn NF and Quick MC (2006). Modeling Tsunami and Resonance Response of Alberni Inlet, British Columbia. 30th International Conference on Coastal Engineering, San Diego, California, World Scientific, pp. 1590 - 1602.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812709554_0135
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (2005). Coastal Upwelling and Downwelling (superseded by the 2017 update). Encyclopedia of Coastal Science, M Schwartz (Ed), Springer, the Netherlands, pp. 306-308.
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (2005). Wave Hindcasting (superseded by the 2017 update). Encyclopedia of Coastal Science, M Schwartz (Ed), Springer, the Netherlands, pp. 1060-1063.
Barua DK (2005). Beaufort Wind Scale (superseded by the 2017 update). Encyclopedia of Coastal Science, M Schwartz (Ed), Springer, the Netherlands, pp. 186-187.
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (2004). Discussion of “A simple formula to estimate settling velocity of natural sediments.” by JA Jiménez and OS Madsen. ASCE Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 130(4), 219-220.
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-950X(2004)130:4(219)
Barua DK (2002). Discussion of "Development and Geometric Similarity of Alluvial Deltas" by CL Shieh, CM Tseng and SM Hsu, ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 128(12), 1102-1103.
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2002)128:12(1102)
Barua DK (2001). Discussion of "In Situ Size Distribution of Suspended Particles in the Fraser River" by BG Krishnappan., ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 127(11), 981.
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2001)127:11(981)
Barua DK (2001). Discussion of "Field Techniques for Suspended-Sediment Measurement" by DG Wren, BD Barkdoll, RA Kuhnle and RW Derrow,  ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 127(9), 784-785.
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2001)127:9(784)
Millar RG and Barua DK (1999). Hydrodynamic Model Selection Study for the Lower Fraser River Between Laidlaw and Mission. UBC, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP), 43pp.
Barua DK and Rahman KH (1998). Some aspects of turbulent flow structure in large alluvial rivers. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 36(2), 235-252, IAHR (International Association of Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research), Taylor & Francis.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00221689809498635
https://www.iahr.org/library/info?pid=5905
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK et al (1998). Suspended Sediment Transport through the Ganges-Brahmaputra Fluvial System: Implications for Floodplain Sedimentation and Sediment Delivery to the Ocean. Reviewed manuscript, the Journal of the IAS - Sedimentology.
Barua DK (1997). The active delta of the Ganges-Brahmaputra Rivers: dynamics of its present formations. Marine Geodesy, 20(1), 1-12, Taylor & Francis.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01490419709388091
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (1997). The characteristics and mobility of some major rivers in Bangladesh. Water Nepal, 5(1), 109-127.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309201572
Barua DK and Salahuddin A (1996). Environmental functions of an alluvial river. Asia Pacific Journal on Environment and Development, 3(1), 39-53.
Barua DK and Dey KC (1996). Bedform dynamics and sediment transport: report of an investigation in the Jamuna River. 41st Annual Conv. Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, Book of Abstracts, Civil Engineering Division, Paper # 41-4-06, IEB.
Barua DK and Kana TW (1995). Deep water wave hindcasting, wave refraction modeling, and wind and wave induced motions in the east Ganges-Brahmaputra delta coast. Journal of Coastal Research, 11(3), 834-848.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4298384
https://journals.flvc.org/jcr/article/view/79861
Barua DK, Klaassen GJ and Mahmood S (1995). On the adaptation and equilibrium of Bangladesh rivers. In: CVJ Varma and ARG Rao (Eds), Management of Sediment - Philosophy, Aims and Techniques, Oxford & IBH Publishing co., New Delhi, pp.277-291.
Barua DK (1995). Reclaiming tidal channels for rice farming: determination of impoldering level at an appropriate stage of siltation. International Symposium on Coastal Ocean Space Utilization, Yokohama, Japan, 30 May-2 June, 1995.
​Barua DK (1995). Sediment transport in suspension: an examination of the difference between bed-material load and wash load. 39th Annual Convention of the Institution of Engineers, Chittagong. Abstracts of papers for technical sessions, civil engineering division, pp.12-13, IEB.
Khan ZH and Barua DK (1995). Seasonal variation of certain hydraulic parameters of the Ganges River. 39th Annual Convention of the Institution of Engineers, Chittagong. Abstracts of papers for technical sessions, civil engineering division, pp.13-14, IEB.
Barua DK (1994). On the environmental controls of Bangladesh river systems. Asia Pacific Journal on Environment and Development, 1(1), 81-98. 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312980885
Barua DK, Kuehl SA, Miller RL and Moore WS (1994). Suspended sediment distribution and residual transport in the coastal ocean off the Ganges-Brahmaputra river mouth. Marine Geology, 120 (2), 41-61, Elsevier.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(94)90076-0
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (1994). On the hydraulic behavior of Karnafuli River estuary, Bangladesh. Book of Abstracts, 24th International Conference on Coastal Engineering at Kobe, Japan, Japan Society of Civil Engineers and Coastal Engineering Research Council and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Abstract No. 35, pp.116-117.
Barua DK, Klaassen GJ and van Groen P (1994). Understanding the physical processes of the major river system in Bangladesh - general aspects and outstanding problems. 38th annual convention of Institution of Engineers, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Abstracts of technical papers presented, pp.24-26, IEB.
Barua DK and Alam MK (1994). On the formulation of a coastal zone management plan for Bangladesh. 38th annual convention of the Institution of Engineers, Dhaka. Abstracts of technical papers presented, pp.22-24, IEB.
Barua DK (Ed) (1993). Morphological processes in the Bangladesh river system - a compilation of papers. River Survey Project, Govt. of Bangladesh, European Union, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Barua DK and Klaassen GJ (1993). Bangladesh and its rivers: an introduction. In: DK Barua (Ed), Morphological processes in the Bangladesh river system - a compilation of papers, River Survey Project, Govt. of Bangladesh, European Union, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Barua DK (1993). Practices, possibilities and impacts of land reclamation activities in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. In: PM Grifman and JA Fawcett (Eds), International perspectives on coastal ocean space utilization, University of Southern California Sea Grant Publication, pp. 343-356.
Barua DK (1992). Dynamics of Coastal Circulation and Sediment Transport in the Coastal Ocean off the Ganges-Brahmaputra River Mouth. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of South Carolina, 154 pp.
Barua DK (1991). Hydro-morphological factors and coastal protection works in Bangladesh. Proc. International workshop on storm surges, river flow and combined effects. UNESCO, International Hydrological Program, Hamburg, Germany, pp.257-267.
Barua DK (1991). The coastline of Bangladesh - an overview of processes and forms. Proceedings of the 7th symposium on coastal and ocean management, ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), pp. 2284-2301.
https://cedb.asce.org/CEDBsearch/record.jsp?dockey=0071516
Barua DK (1991). Tidal observations and spectral analyses of water level data in the mouth of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries, Mombasa, Kenya, pp. 1202-1215, COPEDEC-PIANC.
Barua DK (1990). Suspended sediment movement in the estuary of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system. Marine Geology, 91:243-253, Elsevier.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(90)90039-M
ResearchGate Link
Barua DK (1990). In search of the definition of an estuary. Journal of the Institution of Engineers. Bangladesh, 18(4):27-30, IEB.
Barua DK (1990). Global warming and sea level rise. HOLIDAY, Vol. XXVI no. 3 (Dhaka, Bangladesh).
Barua DK and Koch FG (1987). Tidal propagation in Sandwip Channel. 31st IEB Conv. (Khulna Bangladesh).
Barua DK (1987). Drainage study of Noakhali: Hydro-morphological investigation and solution options. In: Drainage study of Southern Sudharam Upazilla, Noakhali. Land Reclamation Project, Bangladesh, Tech Rep. 38.
Barua DK (1986). Recent morphological developments in Urir Char area. 30th IEB Conv. (Dhaka Bangladesh).
Barua DK and Koch FG (1986). Characteristic morphological relationship for the tide dominated channels of the lower Meghna estuary. Proceedings of the Workshop on Erosion and Sediment Transport Processes, UNESCO, Bangladesh Univ. Engg. Tech. BUET, pp.68-82.
Barua DK and Koch FG (1986). Field measurements and remote sensing in the estuaries for engineering development. Proceedings of the Regional Seminar on Application of Remote Sensing Techniques to Coastal Zone Management and Environmental Monitoring, UNDP/ESCAP, Space Res. and Remote Sen. Org. (SPARRSO, Dhaka, Bangladesh). pp.244-248.
Barua DK (1985). Computation of tidal discharge by velocity area method: an approximate approach in the Meghna estuary. 29th IEB Conv. (Chittagong, Bangladesh).
Barua DK and Koch FG (1985). Erosion hazards and accretion prospects in the lower Meghna estuary. Workshop on River Bank Erosion Impact Study (Jahangir Nagar Univ., Dhaka, Bangladesh).

Links to All the Posted Articles in WIDECANVAS
A Wide Perspective Enrichment
Science & Technology – Coastal Engineering Aspects
2016 Apr 27 Gift of Science & Technology – an Introduction
2016 May 19 Turning the Wheel of Progress
2016 May 26 Creativity and Due Diligence
2016 Jun 2 Common Sense Hydraulics
2016 Jul 28 Uncertainty and Risk
2016 Aug 4 Transformation of Waves
2016 Aug 11 Resistance to Flow
2016 Sept 22 Water Modeling
2016 Sept 29 Sea Level Rise – the Consequences and Adaptation
2016 Oct 6 Tsunami and Tsunami Forces
2016 Nov 3 Storm Surge
2016 Nov 11 The Surf Zone
2016 Nov 17 Wave Forces on Slender Structures
2017 Sept 15 Ship Motion and Mooring Restraints
2017 Oct 20 Wave Structure Interactions & Scour
2018 Jan 19 The World of Numbers and Chances
2018 Mar 16 Managing Coastal Inlets
2018 May 9 Propwash
2019 Feb 5 Civil Engineering on our Seashore
2020 Jan 26 Flood Barrier Systems
2020 Jun 19 Breakwater
2020 Nov 23 Harbor Sedimentation
2021 Apr 30 Uncertainty Propagation in Wave Loadings
2021 Aug 25 Force Fields in a Costal System
2022 Dec 16 Coastal Ocean Currents off River Mouths
Science of Nature – Physics and Hydraulics Aspects
2016 Apr 29 Natural Order
2016 May 5 Natural Equilibrium
2016 May 12 Nature’s Action
2016 Jun 30 The Fluidity of Nature
2016 Jul 7 Ocean Waves
2016 Jul 14 Duality and Multiplicity in Nature
2016 Sept 1 TIME
2016 Sept 8 Sea Level Rise – the Science
2016 Sept 15 Coastal River Delta
2016 Oct 13 Linear Waves
2016 Oct 20 Nonlinear Waves
2016 Oct 27 Spectral Waves
2016 Nov 24 Turbulence
2016 Dec 1 Coastal Water
2017 Nov 15 The Hydraulics of Sediment Transport
2018 Jun 20 Waves – Height, Period and Length
2018 Dec 26 Environmental Controls and Functions of a River
2019 Mar 14 The Quantum World
2019 May 18 Entropy and Everything Else
2019 Aug 23 Einstein’s Unruly Hair
2019 Dec 15 Warming Climate and Entropy
2020 Apr 6 Upslope Events and Downslope Processes
2020 Sept 25 Characterizing Wave Asymmetry
2021 Jan 22 Artificial Intelligence – the Tool of No Limit
2021 Jul 9 The Sanctity of Nature’s Wonders
2022 Feb 21 An Alluvial River’s Sedimentary Functions
Harmonious Living in Wisdom and Mindfulness - in Social Interactions
2016 Jun 9 The Wheel of Life
2016 Jun 16 Social Order
2016 Jun 23 Governance
2016 Aug 11 Social Fluidity
2016 Aug 18 Duality and Multiplicity in a Society
2016 Aug 25 Democracy and Larry the Cat
2017 Aug 30 The Power of Mind
2017 Dec 1 Leadership and Management
2018 Jan 2 Let there be Light – and there was Light
2018 Jul 27 Heaven and Hell
2019 Jan 15 Symmetry, Stability and Harmony
2019 Apr 10 The All-embracing Power of Sublimities
2019 Jul 5 Happiness – the Likeness of a Water Drop on Lotus Pad
2019 Oct 4 Story Times with Frank – 1
2019 Dec 11 Meditation for True Happiness
2020 Mar 10 Story Times with Frank – 2
2020 May 7 Revisiting the Jataka Morals – 1
2020 Jul 10 Revisiting the Jataka Morals – 2
2020 Sept 25 Takuma
2021 Mar 5 Some Difficult Things
2021 May 26 Enlightenment, Emptiness and Nirvana
2021 Oct 19 How Long Does it Take
2022 May 16 The Tathagata
2022 Oct 2 The Mahatma – a Tribute
2023 Jan 26 Hold it There

A Note
This note is intended to clarify why so many individuals have the same name as mine. Some 0.5 million people – mostly Bangladeshi, with some living in India, and the worldwide diaspora – identify themselves with the surname ‘BARUA’. Barua historians tell fascinating ancestral stories why and how so many people ended up having the same surname (see a short note in The Mahatma – A Tribute). ‘DILIP KUMAR’ is a parental given name following the immense popularity of Bollywood Actor Dilip Kumar (1922 - 2021). Therefore, when one Googles this name, many individuals – authors, scholars, professionals and others appear – no family relation, except belonging to the same religio-cultural heritage. As for myself – some of my relevant professional experience, works and research – together with the publications list are summarized in this profile – and in several pieces of articles published on this Website. All these go with my ORCID ID.

. . . . . Dr. Dilip K. Barua

 
 




 

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