A statistical-process based approach for modelling beach profile variability

Pender, D. and Karunarathna, H. (2013) A statistical-process based approach for modelling beach profile variability. Coastal Engineering, 81, pp. 19-29. (doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.06.006)

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for modelling medium term (annual to decadal) cross shore beach profile change and erosion. The statistical-process based approach (SPA) presented here combines detailed statistical modelling of offshore storm climate with a process based morphodynamic model (XBeach), to assess, and quantify morphodynamic variability of cross shore beach profiles. Until now, the use of process based models has been limited to simulations at storm event timescales. This methodology therefore represents the first application of a fully process based model in longer term simulations, as such, the approach requires simulation of post-storm beach profile recovery as well as individual event impacts. Narrabeen Beach, NSW, Australia was used as a case study for application of the technique due to the availability of an extensive set of storm and beach profile data. The results presented here demonstrate that the methodology produces encouraging results for determining medium term beach profile variability and erosion.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pender, Mr Douglas
• Authors: Pender, D., and Karunarathna, H.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• Journal Name: Coastal Engineering
• Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
• ISSN: 0378-3839
• ISSN (Online): 1872-7379
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
• First Published: First published in Coastal Engineering 81:19-29
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License