Comparing Two Numerical Models in Simulating Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport at a Dual Inlet System, West-Central Florida

Abstract

The dynamics of a dual inlet system in west-central Florida are investigated via field measurements and numerical modeling. This paper compares two commonly used numerical modeling systems, CMS and DELFT3D, in simulating the hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes. The model results are compared with various field data. Quantitatively as compared to point measurements, both models reproduced the measured nearshore wave accurately with a Willmott (1981) skill of 0.970 for CMS and 0.981for DELFT3D. Both models computed the flow through main inlet channel reasonably accurately although under-predicted the measured values. At the dominating Johns Pass, the Willmott (1981) skill was 0.957 for CMS and 0.949 for DELFT3D. At the secondary Blind Pass, the Willmott skill was 0.989 for CMS and 0.938 for DELFT3D. Qualitatively, as compared to flow field measurements using a shipmounted ADCP, both models captured key flow patterns including the ebb jet and along shore flood flow. The models also yielded reasonable longshore current and interaction between longshore current and tidal flow. These flow patterns play significant roles in the morphodynamics of the ebb shoal and adjacent beaches.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 15, 2015
Accession Number
AD1001651

Entities

People

  • Jun Cheng
  • Kelly R. Legault
  • Mark H. Horwitz
  • Ping Wang

Organizations

  • United States Army Corps of Engineers

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Corps Of Engineers
  • Barrier Islands
  • Bathymetry
  • Beaches
  • Boundaries
  • Coastal Management
  • Coefficients
  • Cold Fronts
  • Erosion
  • Floods
  • Flow
  • Flow Fields
  • Friction
  • Grain Size
  • Sedimentation
  • Sediments
  • Transport Ships

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation