A Middle-Term Evolution Model for Beaches

A new middle-long term beach evolution model is proposed. This model is based on an analytically integrated sediment conservation equation (without assuming any hypothesis regarding the beach profile) and on a beach profile evolution model. The sediment conservation equation provides the long-shore sediment contributions and the beach profile evolution model combines the cross-shore sediment redistribution associated to seasonal process with this long-shore supplies. The model achieves the prediction of the shoreline position and the profile shape along a beach, from middle to long term scale. Furthermore, in this beach profile evolution model, the definition of the complete profile is incorporated (breaking zone, transition zone, exterior zone and geological zone). The proposed middle-long term beach evolution model has been applied in some test cases and it has also been compared to similar models showing a good capability to predict beach evolution in plan form and profile.