Numerical Modeling of Tsunami Wave Run-Up and Effects on Sediment Scour around a Cylindrical Pier

Abstract

AbstractThe linked two-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment-scour models have been enhanced to simulate tsunami wave run-up on a sloping beach to determine its effects on sediment scour around a cylinder pier located in the wave breaking and run-up zone. To resolve the steep wavefront of the tsunami bore, the kinetic flux vector splitting scheme was adopted to solve the hydrodynamic model equations in the unstructured triangular mesh. The models have been validated by comparing model simulations with experimental data. The results indicate that the model predictions of water surface elevations and velocity match well with the measured data. The error for peak flood elevation ranges from 0.01 to 0.11 m, and the maximum error for the peak velocity is 6%. The model simulations adequately characterize the tsunami wave propagations and transformations as the wave approaches the beach from offshore, especially for the sharp tsunami front before it breaks and the tsunami bore runs up in the beach slope. The mod...