RANS-based simulation of turbulent wave boundary layer and sheet-flow sediment transport processes

Abstract

A numerical model coupling the horizontal component of the incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with two-equation k−ω turbulence closure is presented and used to simulate a variety of turbulent wave boundary layer processes. The hydrodynamic model is additionally coupled with bed and suspended load descriptions, the latter based on an unsteady turbulent-diffusion equation, for simulation of sheet-flow sediment transport processes. In addition to standard features common within such RANS-based approaches, the present model includes: (1) hindered settling velocities at high suspended sediment concentrations, (2) turbulence suppression due to density gradients in the water–sand mixture, (3) boundary layer streaming due to convective terms, and (4) converging–diverging effects due to a sloping bed. The present model therefore provides a framework for simultaneous inclusion of a number of local factors important within cross-shore wave boundary layer and sediment transport dynamics. The hydrodynamic model is validated for both hydraulically smooth and rough conditions, based on wave friction factor diagrams and boundary layer streaming profiles, with the results in excellent agreement with experimental and/or previous numerical work. The sediment transport model is likewise validated against oscillatory tunnel experiments involving both velocity-skewed and acceleration-skewed flows, as well as against measurements beneath real progressive waves. Model capabilities are exploited to investigate the importance of boundary layer streaming effects on sediment transport in selected velocity-skewed conditions. For the medium sand grain conditions considered, the model results suggest that streaming effects can enhance onshore sediment transport rates by as much as a factor of two. Moreover, for fine sand conditions streaming (and related convective) effects are demonstrated to potentially reverse the direction of net transport (i.e. from offshore to onshore) relative that predicted in oscillatory tunnel conditions. The developed model is implemented within the popular Matlab environment, and hence may be attractive for both research and educational purposes.