Cross shore sediment transport and beach profile change
Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The investigation of cross-shore sediment transport is complex due to the variability of factors contributing to sediment motion. It has been an increasingly important topic as coastlines around the world continue to change. The knowledge of cross-shore sediment transport is important to be able to predict shoreline change. In this study, the objective was to develop a numerical model that could robustly predict beach profile change under varying conditions. The model contains a new formulation for calculating bedload transport. Two laboratory experiments were conducted with the goal of reproducing on a small scale, erosive and accretive events similar to those found in nature. These experimental results as well as results obtained in a large scale laboratory experiment, were used to test the validity of the new transport model. One additional experiment was conducted to analyze the temporal and spatial variability of suspension events under breaking waves.