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Chapter 9
Physical Modeling
9,1 Introduction
Prior to the évolution of computers, physical modeling alone was mainly
sought to investigate a wide range of problems related to Coastal, harbour
and offshore engineering, etc. Even today, physical modeling remain as the
only reliable means of understanding the complex phenomena in the field of
Coastal engineering of which, wave structure interaction, Coastal processes,
sédiment dynamics, near shore characteristics are some of the widespread
problems. The random nature of sea State, sédiment dynamics, vortex formation, flow through porous media etc. cannot be precisely modeled using
numerical techniques, although it has evolved greatly over the years. By
means of physical modeling, engineers, researchers, scientists and planners
also get a real time picture of the various phenomenon occurring in the
vicinity of proposed structures. The various aspects of physical modeling
arediscussed in detail in this chapter.
9.2 Dimensional Analysis
9.2.1 General
The foremost step in physical modeling is to perform a dimensional analysis
that considers ail the variables associated in defining the problem. The
objective of dimensional analysis is to minimize the number of variables
and highlight the basis for physical modeling and the physics of similarity.
It involves identification of the important independent variables, to arrive
at one or more dimensionless parameters which aids to describe problem.
The fundamental représentation of ail the variables reduces to three
basic units namely, mass, length and time. Other physical variables defining
a problem related Coastal engineering could be height and period of the
"ave, sédiment size, structural characteristics, etc. Table 9.1 présents the
details of the basic unit représentation for most of the parameters pertaining
Coastal engineering.
Chapter 9
Physical Modeling
9,1 Introduction
Prior to the évolution of computers, physical modeling alone was mainly
sought to investigate a wide range of problems related to Coastal, harbour
and offshore engineering, etc. Even today, physical modeling remain as the
only reliable means of understanding the complex phenomena in the field of
Coastal engineering of which, wave structure interaction, Coastal processes,
sédiment dynamics, near shore characteristics are some of the widespread
problems. The random nature of sea State, sédiment dynamics, vortex formation, flow through porous media etc. cannot be precisely modeled using
numerical techniques, although it has evolved greatly over the years. By
means of physical modeling, engineers, researchers, scientists and planners
also get a real time picture of the various phenomenon occurring in the
vicinity of proposed structures. The various aspects of physical modeling
arediscussed in detail in this chapter.
9.2 Dimensional Analysis
9.2.1 General
The foremost step in physical modeling is to perform a dimensional analysis
that considers ail the variables associated in defining the problem. The
objective of dimensional analysis is to minimize the number of variables
and highlight the basis for physical modeling and the physics of similarity.
It involves identification of the important independent variables, to arrive
at one or more dimensionless parameters which aids to describe problem.
The fundamental représentation of ail the variables reduces to three
basic units namely, mass, length and time. Other physical variables defining
a problem related Coastal engineering could be height and period of the
"ave, sédiment size, structural characteristics, etc. Table 9.1 présents the
details of the basic unit représentation for most of the parameters pertaining
Coastal engineering.