Development of a Numerical Model for Simulating Morphodynamic Processes Driven by Tides and Waves at Coastal Inlets

This paper presents an integrated computational modeling system for simulating tide, storm waves, short wave-induced nearshore currents, wind effects, sediment transport, and morphodynamic processes in coastal zones including coastal inlets and structures (e.g., jetties). An advanced implicit solution scheme has been developed to solve the two-dimensional shallow water equations for simulating coastal hydrodynamics with multiple temporal and spatial scales driven by combined tide, short wave, and wind forcing. This new scheme was then integrated into the Surfacewater Modeling System (SMS). Preliminary numerical investigation of the morphological changes around the coastal inlet has shown that this coastal modeling system is efficient and robust, and can be generally applicable to simulate morphodynamic processes driven by tides and waves in coastal and estuarine zones with structures.