Revisiting Hele-Shaw dynamics to better understand beach evolution

O. Bokhove, A.J. van der Horn, D. van der Meer, E. Gagarina, W. Zweers, A.R. Thornton

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Abstract

Wave action, particularly during storms, drives the evo lution of beaches. Beach evolution by non-linear break ing waves is poorly understood due to its three-dimensional character, the range of scales involved, and our limited understanding of particle-wave interactions. We show how a novel, three-phase extension to the classic “Hele-Shaw‿ laboratory experiment can be designed that creates beach morphologies with breaking waves in a quasi-two-dimensional setting. Our thin Hele-Shaw cell simplifies the inherent complexity of three-phase dynamics: all dynamics become clearly visible and measurable. We show that beaches can be created in tens of minutes by several types of breaking waves, with about one-second periods. Quasi-steady beach morphologies emerge as function of initial water depth, at-rest bed level and wave-maker frequency. These are classified mathematically and lead to beaches, berms and sand bars.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationEnschede
PublisherUniversity of Twente
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013

Publication series

NameMemorandum
PublisherDepartment of Applied Mathematics, University of Twente
No.2004
ISSN (Print)1874-4850

Keywords

  • Water waves
  • Granular Flows
  • Geophysical fluid dynamics
  • Coastal engineering

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