Evaluation of Physical and Numerical Hydraulic Models, Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina.
Abstract
A fixed-bed distorted-scale physical model, a two-dimensional vertically integrated numerical model, and a spatially integrated numerical model were calibrated to determine prototype conditions at Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, in September 1969. Comparison of model results with prototype data showed that the physical model and the two-dimensional numerical model reproduced prototype conditions equally well. A second complete set of prototype data, including revised bathymetry in each model, was subsequently obtained at Masonboro Inlet in July 1974. After the bathymetry was updated, the models were run using the observed ocean tide as a forcing condition. The model predictions were then compared prototype data without further recalibration. Both the physical and the two-dimensional numerical models reproduced observed tidal records and vertically averaged velocities equally well. No appreciable improvement in tidal height or velocity predictions was obtained by modeling prototype wind waves in the physical model. The waves caused a slight increase in bay water levels that also occurred in the prototype. Neither numerical model had the capability to model wind waves. The spatially integrated model only predicts the average bay water level and the inlet mean velocity time histories. The predictions from the other models and the prototype data were averaged for comparison with the spatially integrated model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA116110
Entities
People
- James E. Mctamany
Organizations
- Coastal Engineering Research Center