Community Model for Wave and Current Prediction at Tidal Inlets 

Research Scientists: Dr. James T. Kirby and Dr. Fengyan Shi

Independent modeling using different scale numerical models cannot predict complicated coastal process with strong interaction between multiple scales of motions. In this study, we couple an inner shelf ocean model and a nearshore community model for wave and current predictions at tidal inlets.

A distributed model coupling technique is used in the model coupling as shown in Figure 1. A shelf circulation model (POM) and a shelf scale wave generation and transformation model (SWAN) are adopted as the inner shelf ocean components and a Nearshore Community Model which includes a wave module and a nearshore circulation module is used as the nearshore ocean component.

Figure 2 demonstrates the POM model results of tidal elevation amplitude in the Delaware Bay area. The large-scale modeling results will be passed to the Nearshore Community Model used at the Delaware River Inlet.

Several model enhancements such as implementation of wave-blocking formulation for inlet hydrodynamic conditions and developments of curvilinear versions of REF/DIF and SHORECIRC models will be carried out in the study. Figure 3 illustrates a test case of the curvilinear REF/DIF model developed recently for the project.

The model coupling between the Curv-REF/DIF and the Curv-SHORECIRC is conducted in the numerical simulation of a laboratory experiment as shown in Figure 4. As a case study, the coupled models will be used in the Indian River Inlet, Delaware, to provide more reliable estimates of wave conditions and wave-, wind- and tide-induced nearshore circulation in the tidal inlet region.

Figure 1. Distributed model coupling framework.

Figure 2. Tidal elevation amplitude computed by POM model with M2 constituent.

Figure 3. The newly developed Curv-REF/DIF model provides with a more accurate prediction of waves in a circular channel.

Figure 4. Simulation of wave-current interaction by coupling Curv-REF/DIF and Curv-SHORECIRC.