Modelling the changes in waveform in combined wave-current flow
T. Cömert (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
M. F. S. Tissier – Mentor (TU Delft - Environmental Fluid Mechanics)
Floris P. de Wit – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Environmental Fluid Mechanics)
Judith Bosboom – Coach (TU Delft - Coastal Engineering)
M. Zijlema – Coach (TU Delft - Environmental Fluid Mechanics)
A. J. H. M. Reniers – Coach (TU Delft - Environmental Fluid Mechanics)
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Abstract
Combined wave-current flow is defined as flow in which waves and currents are present together. One of its occurrences in nature is at a tidal inlet system, where incoming waves meet either a current in the same (following) or opposite (opposing) direction. This type of flow is different when compared to wave- or current-only flows. As a result, different effects are expected on, amongst others, the (suspended) sediment transport. In this study, we are modelling combined wave-current flow with the non-hydrostatic wave-flow model SWASH. The goal was to extend the present SWASH model to facilitate the modelling of combined wave-current flow, validate model results with experimental data and use the new model to analyse waveforms in combined wave-current flow. Model results for spatially uniform and non-uniform currents showed that the evolution of the wave height over the domain was approximately constant. Validation results of the vertical structure of the flow were in general poor except at the boundary. However, the model is capable of producing qualitatively the same trends as observed in measurements of the horizontal structure of the flow. In particular, the spatial evolution of the skewness and asymmetry was captured fairly accurate by the model. It is recommended to expand the newly developed methods to 3D domains for further validation and analysis.