Application of a parametric long term model concept to the Delray Beach nourishment program

At scales larger than those where processes are well understood (:2: years), it is difficult to set up traditional process­based models. However, there is a growing demand for predictions of shoreline behaviour at these longer timescales, particularly for beach nourishment. Therefore, we are developing a framework based on parametric (behaviour-oriented) modelling which may be applied to areas where limited observations are available. With the present paper we examine the application of our concepts to a real world case, viz. the beach response at Delray Beach, Florida, to nourishment over a 20 year period. The problems of dealing with profile data are considered. The simple diffusion-based model we utilize cannot reproduce non-uniform behaviour. However if beach volume above a reference contour is considered, the model works well and predicts the erosive losses between renourishments quite effectively. Further improvements and application of the model is considered.