Integration of soil mechanics in numerical models of surf zone beach processes
Abstract
Approved for Public Release.Soil mechanics have been related to sediment erodibility in foreshore environments. Initial and detailed recent studies documented significant variations in geotechnical sediment strength in response to changes in hydrodynamic forcing and geomorphodynamics, representing a possible hazard for the prediction of trafficability and navigation from sediment mobilizationevents. The variability of geotechnical seabed surface sediment properties may also lead to issues with the accurate interpretationof acoustic seabed surveying efforts. However, obtaining geotechnical properties through traditional methods of field and laboratory testing can be challenged by accessibility of sites and environmental conditions. Novel field methodologies, specifically leveraging remote sensing, offer solutions to those challenges; however, the implementation of soil mechanics in numerical modelling of geomorphodynamics has the potential to offer predictions of geotechnical properties based on geomorphological change to possibly minimize the need for field data; or to improve the prediction of geomorphodynamics by including geotechnical parameters into the modeling.While significant progress has been made to advance the modeling of the coupled hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and morphodynamics, incorporating the effects of geotechnical properties in nearshore morphodynamic modeling remains at its infancy. The proposed work aims at understanding the relationship between local geomorphodynamics, beach sediment strength and textural properties, and hydrodynamic forcing conditions by analyzing existing field data, improving numerical modeling tools, and testing the improved modeling capabilities during a proof-of-concept field experiment. This will be achieved through the following five research objectives and byleveraging existing data collected by the PIs in 2023: (1) Correlate geomorphodynamic change with geotechnical properties of beach sediments and with hydrodynamic forcing conditions observed during two field experiments in 2023; (2) Improve the performance of themorphodynamic model XBeach to simulate the geomorphological change observed during the two 2023 field experiments (including an onshore and an offshore migration event, respectively); (3) Assess the role of different geotechnical sediment properties and pore pressure behavior on sediment dynamics along cross-shore profiles with special focus on the swash and the surf zones; (4) Explore pathways to integrate relevant and measurable geotechnical properties into XBeach modeling and assess its potential impact for navigation as well as trafficability; and (5) Demonstrate the performance of improved modelling capabilities. The proposed 2-year study will bea key step towards the prediction of rapid beach evolution and the associated variations in seabed soil strength due to storms withthe aim of assisting with model calibrations for acoustic surveying and navigation, as well as with trafficability assessment from remote sensing. The proposed work is a collaborative effort with Co-PI Hubler from Villanova University and PI Hsu from the University of Delaware.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412558
Entities
People
- Nina Stark
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Florida