A 3D unstructured grid nearshore hydrodynamic model based on the vortex force formalism

Zheng, Peng; Li, Ming; van der A, Dominic A.; van der Zanden, Joep; Wolf, Judith ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4129-8221; Chen, Xueen; Wang, Caixia. 2017 A 3D unstructured grid nearshore hydrodynamic model based on the vortex force formalism. Ocean Modelling, 116. 48-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.06.003

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.06.003

Abstract/Summary

A new three-dimensional nearshore hydrodynamic model system is developed based on the unstructured-grid version of the third generation spectral wave model SWAN (Un-SWAN) coupled with the three-dimensional ocean circulation model FVCOM to enable the full representation of the wave-current interaction in the nearshore region. A new wave–current coupling scheme is developed by adopting the vortex-force (VF) scheme to represent the wave–current interaction. The GLS turbulence model is also modified to better reproduce wave-breaking enhanced turbulence, together with a roller transport model to account for the effect of surface wave roller. This new model system is validated first against a theoretical case of obliquely incident waves on a planar beach, and then applied to three test cases: a laboratory scale experiment of normal waves on a beach with a fixed breaker bar, a field experiment of oblique incident waves on a natural, sandy barred beach (Duck’94 experiment), and a laboratory study of normal-incident waves propagating around a shore-parallel breakwater. Overall, the model predictions agree well with the available measurements in these tests, illustrating the robustness and efficiency of the present model for very different spatial scales and hydrodynamic conditions. Sensitivity tests indicate the importance of roller effects and wave energy dissipation on the mean flow (undertow) profile over the depth. These tests further suggest to adopt a spatially varying value for roller effects across the beach. In addition, the parameter values in the GLS turbulence model should be spatially inhomogeneous, which leads to better prediction of the turbulent kinetic energy and an improved prediction of the undertow velocity profile.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.06.003
ISSN:	14635003
Additional Keywords:	Unstructured grid; Vortex-force; Wave–current interaction; FVCOM; Unstructured SWAN
Date made live:	30 Jun 2017 15:36 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517259

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.06.003

ISSN:

14635003

Additional Keywords:

Unstructured grid; Vortex-force; Wave–current interaction; FVCOM; Unstructured SWAN

Date made live:

30 Jun 2017 15:36 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517259