1.3. ADVANTAGES OF PHYSICAL MODELS
7
A third advantage of physical models is the degree of experimental control
that allows simulation of varied or sometimes rare environmental conditions
at the convenience of the researcher, and a fourth advantage is the ability
to get a visual feedback from the model. Kamphuis (1991) noted that
watching a physical model in operation often gives the experimenter an
immediate qualitative impression of the physical processes which in turn
can help to focus the study and reduce the planned testing.
Le Méhauté (1990) gave six reasons supporting continued use of physical
hydraulic models for studying and solving coastal engineering problems.
These reasons are paraphrased below:
1. Scale model technology remains cost effective considering the size and magnitude of coastal and ocean projects.
Physical hydraulic models add reliability and credibility to
the decision-making process when opposing parties are in
disagreement.
2. Laboratory experiment techniques will always remain one
of the most useful tools in coastal engineering because of
the inherent limits of deterministic fluid mechanics due to
turbulence.
3. New techniques (e.g., laser Doppler velocimetry) are now
available which did not exist in the past. These techniques
allow the discovery of physical relationships of fluid flow
beyond what is already known. Data processing techniques
also allow treatment of a large quantity of data; and therefore, more complex relationships between more variables
of the process can be established. In the past only a few
variables of the flow could be included in simplistic relationships.
4. Accuracy of mathematical modeling is presently limited by
the accuracy of the functional mathematical relationships
on which they are based. Mathematical models point out
the most important deficiencies, and physical models offer the chance to monitor and measure the physics in a
controlled environment.
5. Scale models remain the best analog computers, allowing
reproduction of complex boundary conditions beyond the
accuracy of finite step differences. Convective and dissipative nonlinear effects, major difficulties in mathematical
modeling, are also in near similitude.
7
A third advantage of physical models is the degree of experimental control
that allows simulation of varied or sometimes rare environmental conditions
at the convenience of the researcher, and a fourth advantage is the ability
to get a visual feedback from the model. Kamphuis (1991) noted that
watching a physical model in operation often gives the experimenter an
immediate qualitative impression of the physical processes which in turn
can help to focus the study and reduce the planned testing.
Le Méhauté (1990) gave six reasons supporting continued use of physical
hydraulic models for studying and solving coastal engineering problems.
These reasons are paraphrased below:
1. Scale model technology remains cost effective considering the size and magnitude of coastal and ocean projects.
Physical hydraulic models add reliability and credibility to
the decision-making process when opposing parties are in
disagreement.
2. Laboratory experiment techniques will always remain one
of the most useful tools in coastal engineering because of
the inherent limits of deterministic fluid mechanics due to
turbulence.
3. New techniques (e.g., laser Doppler velocimetry) are now
available which did not exist in the past. These techniques
allow the discovery of physical relationships of fluid flow
beyond what is already known. Data processing techniques
also allow treatment of a large quantity of data; and therefore, more complex relationships between more variables
of the process can be established. In the past only a few
variables of the flow could be included in simplistic relationships.
4. Accuracy of mathematical modeling is presently limited by
the accuracy of the functional mathematical relationships
on which they are based. Mathematical models point out
the most important deficiencies, and physical models offer the chance to monitor and measure the physics in a
controlled environment.
5. Scale models remain the best analog computers, allowing
reproduction of complex boundary conditions beyond the
accuracy of finite step differences. Convective and dissipative nonlinear effects, major difficulties in mathematical
modeling, are also in near similitude.