Morphodynamic Evolution Analysis of Beaches Adjacent to L' Hospitalet Marina after Nourishment Project

Abstract

Waves and wave induced currents are the main forcings acting on beaches. As a consequence of the interaction of these forcings with coastal geometry and available sediment, long-shore transport and morphological changes appear. These changes generate a constant reshaping of the profile and plan form of beaches that define the beach equilibrium and/or the beach evolution. If human activities introduce a modification in the available sediment or in the coastal geometry the existing coastal equilibrium disappears and the beach evolve to a new state. In this paper a case study is shown where a marina is built in the middle of a coastal stretch and some beach nourishment project are carried out. General background and beach nourishment works are detailed. Results from morphodynamic analysis will be shown and beach behavior will be described.