CETN II-33
(9/94)
Ongoing research. After Ocean City post-storm profile data were available for the January 2-5, 1992
storm, the overwash algorithm and relationships for foreshore erosion included in SBEACH were
calibrated to the Ocean City data set, in a research application of the model. Results showed that the
observed dune overwash and foreshore erosion were well reproduced (Kraus and Wise 1993). The
research version of SBEACH, including the calibrated overwash algorithm and foreshore relation-
ships, was further tested using additional profile lines and multiple storms, including the 1991 Hal-
loween storm at Ocean City. Again, the calculated results well reproduced the measured dune and
foreshore profile response (Wise and Kraus 1993).
Other ongoing cross-shore sediment transport research and development include analysis of the
SUPERTANK cross-shore laboratory data set to improve predictions of profile change due to random
wave attack. Improvements in random wave descriptions, overwash predictions, and an upgraded
user interface will be incorporated in SBEACH Version 3.0, to be released in September 1994.
Storm-induced beach erosion of primary importance to Districts and Divisions occurs on the subaerial
part of the profile, primarily in the dune and foreshore region. It is in these areas that the majority of
storm damage benefits are realized. However, predictive expressions for sand transport and beach
profile change in these regions are based on limited data sets. Additional research into foreshore and
dune erosion processes is required to accurately predict the engineering quantities of interest to the
corps.
SUMMARY: SBEACH has been applied to predict beach change and coastal processes resulting
from extreme storm events, both for coastal project design and evaluation, and to synthetically com-
pare beach fill alternatives and storm impacts. Model application may be simplified, using a scoping
mode, or constitute a detailed study using design mode. In comparisons with prototype data,
SBEACH has been shown to well represent the erosional stages of a storm event for profiles in a
cross-shore dominated environment characterized by a non-cohesive sediment of representative grain
size. Predictions of recovery (accretion) are qualitative. SBEACH is supported through a structured
program at CERC, and model users are encouraged to contact CERC personnel (listed in next section)
for assistance with model applications.
AVAILABILITY: SBEACH is available for use on personal computer (PC), and within the Coastal
Modeling System (CMS) (Cialone et al. 1991). To obtain the PC version of SBEACH or obtain
assistance with model applications, contact Mr. Randy Wise, (601) 634-3085. A description of the
CMS is presented in CETN VI-18 (Cialone 1992). For more information about the SBEACH appli-
cations to coastal projects discussed herein, please contact the author, Ms. Julie Rosati (601-634-
3005) or Mr. Wise, both of the Coastal Processes Branch (CEWES-CR-P).
REFERENCES:
Bruun, P. 1988. "Profile Nourishment: It's Background and Economic Advantages," Journal of
Coastal Research, Vol 4, pp. 219-228.
Cialone, M. A. 1992. "The Coastal Modeling System: A System of Numerical Models and Support
Programs," Coastal Engineering Technical Note CETN VI-18, US Army Engineer Waterways Exper-
iment Station, Coastal Engineering Research Center, Vicksburg, MS.
Cialone, M. A., Mark, D. J, Chou, L. W., Leenknecht, D. A., Davis, J. E., Lillycrop, L. S., and
Jensen, R. E., Thompson, E. F., Gravens, M. B., Rosati, J. D., Wise, R. A., Kraus, N. C., and
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CETN 9/94
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