Analytical Shoreline Modeling
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ANALYTICAL SHORELINE MODELING

When sparse and questionable data exist to justify a complex and resource intensive shoreline model such as "GENESIS", it may be proper to consider analytical shoreline modeling. In certain situations and for certain boundary conditions, an analytical model can actually provide better answers than a numerical model. Various "simplified" and "complex" beach nourishment planform scenerios (with and without coastal structures) can be modeled using analytical shoreline modeling techniques in a similar manner to the "Pelnard-Considere" approach to one-line modeling. Some examples to a placed beach nourishment fill are given below for the following scenerios:
  • Case(a): A beach nourishment project with tapered ends (in planform).
  • Case(b): A varying initial width (planform) beach nourishment project.
  • Case(c): A constant width nourishment project placed along a barrier island with adjacent tidal inlets at each end of the barrier (where shoreline location remains constant).
  • Case(d): A variable width nourishment project placed along a section of a barrier island with adjacent tidal inlets at each end of the barrier (where shoreline location remains constant).
  • Case(e): A constant width nourishment project placed along a section of a barrier island with adjacent tidal inlets at each end of the barrier (where no sand transport enters or exits the system).
  • Case(f): An impermeable structure such as a jetty or groin (placed at location x=0) trapping sand moving (from right to left) toward the structure.
  • Case(g): Evolution of a beach fill placed between two groins (at x=0 and x=1000) where groin length is 150m.
  • Case(h): Evolution of beach due to pipeline discharging sediment continuously at shoreline (x=0).
  • Case(i): Evolution of fill material placed on a beach via truck dumping (at x=0).
  • Case (j): A Review of Inlet Bypassing Solutions with Nomographs.
In all cases the examples show a "hypothetical" beach nourishment project planform evolving from its initial placement planform (at time "t=0") through evolving times t= t1 <t2 <t3 <t4 .

Both shoreline width and volume/area of fill material can be calculated for any given time. Many more complex solutions to beach planform evolution can be modeled than shown here. Should you have any questions concerning your specific project needs call: Todd Walton, Ph.D., P.E. (850-644-2847).

REFERENCES:

Dean, R.G. (1984). "Principles of Beach Nourishment," Chapter 11, CRC Handbook of Coastal Processes and Erosion, P.D. Komar, ed., CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, pp 217-232.

Pelnard Considere, R.(1956). "Essai de theorie de l'Evolution des Formes de Rivage en Plages de Sable et de Galets", 4th Journees de l'Hydraulique, Les Energies de la Mer, Question III, Rapport No. 1.

Walton, T.L. Jr. and Chiu, T.Y. (1979). "A Review of Analytical Techniques to Solve the Sand Transport Equation and Some Simplified Solutions", Proc., Coast. Struct. '79, ASCE, New York,N.Y.,809-837.

Walton, T.L. Jr.(1994). "Shoreline Solution for Tapered Beach Fill", Journal of Waterway,Port,Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, Vol.120, No.6, ASCE, New York, N.Y., 651-655.

© Copyright 2001 Todd L. Walton Jr.
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