Modeling intra-event processes on a barrier beach during an extreme event
Date
2022
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can have devastating impacts. Given the economic and cultural importance of coastline communities, it is important to model storms to aid in coastal resiliency planning. The numerical model, XBeach, can be used to predict morphodynamics that occur during an extreme event. This study examines how storm parameters—wave height, wave period, and tidal levels—affect erosion at a barrier beach, Bethany Beach, DE (USA), using the XBeach numerical wave model. The objective of the study was to maximize the efficiency of XBeach to predict morphodynamic changes. XBeach was calibrated for the specific study area using measured data from Nor’easter Riley. Once calibrated, the model was used to predict erosional behavior during Hurricane Sandy. Specifically, this study examines the effects that alterations to Hurricane Sandy storm parameters would have on the Bethany Beach area. Angle of impact, wave height, tidal level, and wave period were all tested to quantify the effect that each parameter had on the morphodynamics of the area during a storm. Results showed that waves coming directly onshore (270 °) results in higher rates of erosion and accretion. Additionally, increases in significant wave height yields notable increases to dune erosion.
Description
Keywords
Coastal communities, Coastal resiliency planning, Erosional behavior