Non-hydrostatic Modeling of Wave Transformation and Rip Current Circulation: A Case Study for Haeundae Beach, Korea

Abstract

ABSTRACT Yoon, J. J., 2014. Non-hydrostatic modeling of wave transformation and rip current circulation: a case study for Haeundae Beach, Korea. Haeundae Beach in Busan, South Korea, is one of the most popular destinations in South Korea, but poses the danger of irregular, fast moving rip currents. To investigate the dominant mechanism of rip currents in this region, a numerical simulation was carried out using the non-hydrostatic model Surface WAves till SHore (SWASH), with observed wave and topographical data. In this paper, the applicability of SWASH for modeling the wave transformation and rip current circulation near the shallow foreshore is investigated. Assuming that rip current dynamics are controlled by combination of variations in wave dissipation and morphological flow constriction, we tested the effects of wave parameters, such as wave heights, wave periods, wave directions, and changes in tidal conditions, on rip current generation. The model results showed good agreement with previous studie...