Development of a Numerical Model for Simulating Morphodynamic Processes Driven by Tides and Waves at Coastal Inlets

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated computational modeling system for simulating tide, storm waves, short wave-induced nearshore currents, wind effects, sediment transport, and morphodynamic processes in coastal zones including coastal inlets and structures (e.g., jetties). An advanced implicit solution scheme has been developed to solve the two-dimensional shallow water equations for simulating coastal hydrodynamics with multiple temporal and spatial scales driven by combined tide, short wave, and wind forcing. Within integration into the Surfacewater Modeling System (SMS), the model’s capability to simulate hydrodynamic and morphodynamic processes at a coastal inlet with jetties for both short- and long- term simulation has been confirmed. Through preliminary numerical investigation of the morphological changes around the coastal inlet, it has been found that this coastal modeling system is efficient and robust, and can be generally applicable to simulate morphodynamic processes driven by tides and waves in coastal and estuarine zones with structures.