Computer modeling of
storm surges, waves, circulation, and erosion
Dr. Q "Jim" Chen, Principal Investigator
The Center is using computers to predict detailed and complex coastal hydrodynamics including water levels during storm surges, waves, and tidal circulation. The computer models are adaptations of state-of-the-art models including ADCIRC for circulation and water levels and SWAN for waves. The models have been applied to the Alabama coast as a test-case for complex geometries and severe forcings in shallow coastal and estuarine environments.
Dauphin Island after T.S. Isadore
Computer Simulation Model
The figure above shows simulations of storm surge and currents in coastal Alabama during landfall of Tropical Storm Isadore in 2002. The simulation correctly shows that portions of Dauphin Island, Alabama (southwestern barrier island) were experiencing overwash during the peak of the storm. The photo taken the day after the storm shows severe beach erosion on the barrier island at that portion of the island.
The storm surge/circulation model and the wave model have been tested against field measurements collected in Mobile Bay and good agreement has been found. Applications of the computer models include predictions of surface waves and water levels for the design of coastal infrastructure as well as forecasts of storm surges for emergency management.
