Physical Modelling In Coastal Engineering

Laboratory physical models are a valuable tool for coastal engineers. Physical models help us to understand the complex hydrodynamic processes occurring in the nearshore zone and they provide reliable and economic engineering design solutions.This book is about the art and science of physical modeling as applied in coastal engineering. The aim of the book is to consolidate and synthesize into a single text much of the knowledge about physical modeling that has been developed worldwide.This book was written to serve as a graduate-level text for a course in physical modeling or as a reference text for engineers and researchers engaged in physical modeling and laboratory experimentation. The first three chapters serve as an introduction to similitude and physical models, covering topics such as advantages and disadvantages of physical models, systems of units, dimensional analysis, types of similitude and various hydraulic similitude criteria applicable to coastal engineering models.Practical application of similitude principles to coastal engineering studies is covered in Chapter 4 (Hydrodynamic Models), Chapter 5 (Coastal Structure Models) and Chapter 6 (Sediment Transport Models). These chapters develop the appropriate similitude criteria, discuss inherent laboratory and scale effects and overview the technical literature pertaining to these types of models. The final two chapters focus on the related subjects of laboratory wave generation (Chapter 7) and measurement and analysis techniques (Chapter 8).

Coastal engineering is a field which has grown in importance over the last forty years as mankind has utilised and become dependent on the coastlines of the world to a greater extent. The activities in the field include the study of wave dynamics, shoreline erosion and protection, harbor and breakwater design, dredging technology, estuary mechanics and storm surge calculations, as well as offshore structural design. In all of these areas the level of actvity is high and the state of art has imporved dramatically since the 1940's. An important aspect of all these areas of research is the use of model studies. This volume consists of a number of papers which cover various aspects of physical modelling in coastal engineering, including the generation of waves in the laboratory, the modelling of sediment transport and the application to various engineering problems. The intent is to provide the reader with an overview of the research actvities of indviduals who represent major laboratories in their countries: to include Denmark, Scotland, Canada, the People's Republic of China, England, the Netherlands and the U.S.

Mechanistic models are often employed to simulate processes in coastal environments. However, these predictive tools are highly specialized, involve certain assumptions and limitations, and can be manipulated only by experienced engineers who have a thorough understanding of the underlying principles. This results in significant constraints on thei

While the existing literature on offshore structures touch on model testing, a comprehensive text discussing the design, construction, instrumentation, testing and analysis of the physical model is lacking. This book fills that vacuum and provides, through its survey of the theoretical and practical aspects of physical modeling, an in-depth coverage of the technology of model testing. Its usefulness runs through the entire field of engineering, reaching far beyond its focus on offshore construction; and its breadth of scope should appeal not only to engineers and naval architects but to scientists interested in structural or hydraulic testing as well. Contents:IntroductionModeling LawsModel Construction TechniquesModel Testing FacilityModeling of EnvironmentInstrumentation and Signal ControlModeling of Fixed Offshore StructuresModeling of Offshore OperationsSeakeeping TestsData Analysis Techniques Readership: Undergraduates and engineers in coastal engineering, naval architects, scientists interested in structural or hydraulic testing. keywords:Physical Modeling;Scaling Laws;Hydrodynamics;Testing Facilities: Instruments;Offshore Structures;Wave Generation;Seakeeping “... a thorough and well-written book ... could only have been written by someone with a wealth of personal experience. The breadth of material in each chapter is truly impressive and valuable; and the abundance of relevant references ... adds considerably to the value of the book. These references will be especially beneficial to those wishing to pursue the individual topics in more detail ... it will serve as a valuable reference to anyone working in this field. It is an important contribution to the field of offshore modelling.” Coastal Engineering

Process-based morphodynamic modelling is one of the relatively new tools at the disposal of coastal scientists, engineers and managers. On paper, it offers the possibility to analyse morphological processes and to investigate the effects of various measures one might consider to alleviate some problems. For these to be applied in practice, a model should be relatively straightforward to set up. It should be accurate enough to represent the details of interest, it should run long enough and robustly to see the real effects happen, and the physical processes represented in such a way that the sediment generally goes in the right direction at the right rate. Next, practitioners must be able to judge if the patterns and outcomes of the model are realistic and finally, translate these colour pictures and vector plots to integrated parameters that are relevant to the client or end user. In a nutshell, this book provides an in-depth review of ways to model coastal processes, including many hands-on exercises.

The United Nations estimate that by 2004, in excess of 75% of the world's population will live within the coastal zone. These regions are therefore of critical importance to a majority of the world's citizens. The coastal zone provides important economic, transport, residential and recreational functions, all of which depend upon its physical characteristics, appealing landscape, cultural heritage, natural resources and rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity. This resource is thus the foundation for the well being and economic viability of present and future generations of coastal zone residents The pressure on coastal environments is also being exacerbated by rapid changes in global climate. The value of the coastal zone to humanity, and the enormous pressure on it, provide strong incentives for a greater scientific understanding which can ensure effective coastal engineering practice and efficient and sustainable management. Coastal Engineering: Processes, Theory and Design Practice is the only book providing a thorough introduction to all aspects of coastal processes, morphology and design of coastal defences. The use of detailed and state-of-the art modelling techniques are an important theme of this book, and there are numerous case studies showing actual examples where mathematical modelling has been applied through engineering judgement. With thorough coverage of the theory, and practical demonstration of the applications, Coastal Engineering: Processes, Theory and Design Practice is a must have for all students and engineers working in coastal management and engineering. .

The importance of models to facilitate our understanding and management of the coastal system is evident from this book, which shows that the preference for using models to study the coastal system is shared not only by different research institutions (government, military, industry and academia), but also by researchers from diverse backgrounds. With contributions from several leading experts a variety of models - physical, analytical, numerical and computer simulation - are presented on various components of the coastal system. The book opens by examining the coast as a system, and provides an overview of models, systems concepts, and the systems approach. It next covers the simulation design process, stressing that modeling and simulation should form an interface between real-world processes, and the field of General Systems Theory. It is clearly shown that a system can be investigated with more than one type of model. For example, it is shown that waves can be studied with physical models, empirical and numerical models or with computer simulation models. Likewise, beaches can be investigated with physical, numerical or empirically-based models. The indispensability of models to enhance our understanding of coastal dynamics and associated component systems is emphasised. Mathematical modeling of rock coast development and the simulation of deltaic depositional systems are covered. A chapter on analytical modeling of predator-prey interactions highlights the fact that the coastal system also has biotic resources. Finally, problems which have to be overcome for the practical application of numerical and simulation models are discussed. The explanatory and detailed formulation of the various models, together with more than 100 figures, make this book worthwhile reading for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and all coastal researchers interested in the formulation and application of models of the coastal system.

Accompanying CD-ROM in pocket at the back of book