84
CHAPTER 4. HYDRODYNAMIC MODELS
Figure 4.2: Typical Laboratory Wave Basin.
The wave tank is the traditional tool of the coastal engineer (Dalrymple
1989), and it enables less expensive examination of problems that can be
approximated as 2-d processes. Wave basins provide the capability to study
evolution of the wavefield over nonuniform bathymetry or at particular sites
as the waves undergo refraction, diffraction, shoaling, and breaking.
One of the most important uses of short-wave physical models is in
support of harbor design. Bottin (1992) listed the following design aspects
that can be examined in a short-wave harbor model:
• Determination of the most economical breakwater and/or
jetty configurations that will provide adequate short wave
protection and navigation channel control for small craft
in the harbor.
• Quantification of wave heights that penetrate into the harbor.
• Alleviation of undesirable wave and current conditions in
the harbor entrance.
CHAPTER 4. HYDRODYNAMIC MODELS
Figure 4.2: Typical Laboratory Wave Basin.
The wave tank is the traditional tool of the coastal engineer (Dalrymple
1989), and it enables less expensive examination of problems that can be
approximated as 2-d processes. Wave basins provide the capability to study
evolution of the wavefield over nonuniform bathymetry or at particular sites
as the waves undergo refraction, diffraction, shoaling, and breaking.
One of the most important uses of short-wave physical models is in
support of harbor design. Bottin (1992) listed the following design aspects
that can be examined in a short-wave harbor model:
• Determination of the most economical breakwater and/or
jetty configurations that will provide adequate short wave
protection and navigation channel control for small craft
in the harbor.
• Quantification of wave heights that penetrate into the harbor.
• Alleviation of undesirable wave and current conditions in
the harbor entrance.