Model Coupling
The Grays Harbor data set provides an opportunity to rigorously examine
representation of the wave-current interaction through the wave-action equation, current-
induced breaking wave blocking by a current, and diffraction. Coupling of the two models
coupling is accomplished in the Surface-water Modeling System (SMS) Steering Module
(Zundel et al. 2002a, Zundel, et al. 2002b). The SMS is a pre- and post-processor
developed for operating various numerical hydrodynamic models (Militello and Zundel
1999). The SMS Steering Module was developed to automate repetitive user tasks and
facilitate data sharing between circulation and wave propagation numerical models. At
present, the Steering Module couples the finite-element circulation model ADCIRC and
the finite-difference wave model STWAVE or the finite-difference circulation model M2D
(Militello 1998; Kraus and Militello 1999; Militello and Zundel 2003) and the STWAVE
model. Future work will allow other USACE circulation and wave models to be coupled
via the Steering Module, as well as coupling to sediment transport and morphology change
models.
Idealized Inlet Simulations
Initially, simulations with a plane beach test basin were made to assess the performance
of the coupled models. The idealized inlet and bay had a constant depth of 10 m, and the
offshore sloped to a 40-m depth. Idealized inlet configurations examined in the initial
phase of the coupled model study then progressed to include 1) an equilibrium beach
profile extending to a depth of 30 m with a 5-m deep inlet and bay, and 2) an equilibrium
beach profile with an idealized (circular) ebb shoal (Fig. 2). This configuration was
selected to represent, in an idealized way, conditions at Shinnecock Inlet, NY (Militello
and Kraus 2000). Results from the equilibrium profile with ebb shoal configuration are
presented and discussed herein.
The ADCIRC domain extended 25 km in the longshore direction and 10 km from the bay
to the offshore (ocean) boundary (Fig. 3). The STWAVE domain was a subset of the
ADCIRC domain, extending 15 km in the alongshore direction and 8 km in the on-offshore
direction. Wave model simulations included normal and obliquely incident waves with
Cialone, Militello, Brown, and Kraus
4
Previous Page
