Process-based Modelling of a Nearshore Nourishment

Abstract

Beach erosion and recovery morphodynamics are complex physical processes that are difficult to measure, particularly in the surf zone. Hence, with consideration of the respective advantages and limitations of the coastal morphological modelling approach to inform coastal management and climate adaptation strategies, the inclusion of these processes in predictive numerical models requires careful validation and interpretation. The timescale of their investigation dictates the optimal numerical modelling approach that should be applied to simulate and predict beach morphology changes. The level of detail and therefore, process understanding, obtained from numerical modeling ranges from 1D shoreline models to more sophisticated 3D physical process models. Here, we present the application and validation of a 3D process-based model (Delft3D) to simulate the dispersion of a nearshore beach nourishment in the outer surf zone at a highly variable (energy and direction) open coast beach on the east coast of Australia.