Discrete Particle Model for Surf Zone Sediment Transport
Abstract
Sediment transport in nearshore wave bottom boundary layers drives coastal geomorphologic change and can result in bathymetric changes of more than a meter in as little as a few hours, particularly in the region where waves are breaking. Predicting the evolution of surf zone bathymetry is of significant importance, with economic, legal, engineering, scientific, and military implications. Most formulae for predicting sediment transport in surf zone subsume the smallest scale physics of the phenomena by parameterizing interactions between grains. In contrast, computer simulations can be performed to directly model the collective and individual motions of sediment grains immersed in fluid. This type of simulation, known as a Discrete Particle Model (DPM), is a cutting-edge research tool that is being used and further developed at NRL for studying nearshore sediment transport. In addition to sediment transport, such models, based on molecular dynamics, have a broad range of applications. For example, the DPM described here has been used to study objects impacting sediments and the formation of geologic faults. As well, similar models have been applied to traffic flow, schooling fish, crowd control, and other problems in which the particulate nature of the phenomena is of critical importance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA524021
Entities
People
- Joseph Calantoni
- K. Todd Holland
- T. G. Drake
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory