Numerical simulation of nearshore circulation on field topography under random wave environment

In order to investigate surf zone hydrodynamics through two-dimensional numerical simulations of nearshore circulation under random wave environment, a nearshore circulation model, SHORECIRC, and a random wave model. SWAN, were combined and utilized. Using this combined model, a numerical simulation of the October 2, 1997 SandyDuck field experiment was performed. For this simulation, field topography and an input offshore spectrum were constructed using observed data sets synchronized with the experiment. The wave-breaking model in SWAN was modified by using breaker parameters varied according to bottom slope. The simulation results were compared with the experimental data, which revealed a well-developed longshore current, as well as with results using other combinations which were SHORECIRC and its original monochromatic wave-driver, and SHORECIRC and the default of SWAN. The results from the novel combined model agreed well with the experimental data. The results of the present simulation also indicate that alongshore field topography influences shear fluctuation of longshore currents. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This research was a part of the project titled "Countermeasure System against Storm Surge and Tsunamis in Harbor Zones" funded by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Korea. We thank the staffs at the USACE Field Research Facility (http://www.frf.usace.army.mil) for making their extensive observations available online and all of their efforts at ongoing data collection