BEACH AND DUNE RESPONSE TO SEVERE STORMS

Abstract

A numerical model is developed and applied to estimate the frequency distribution of severe erosion events. The proposed method is an extension of existing Monte Carlo storm surge simulation models. Hurricane and tropical storm meteorological parameters are randomly selected to generate a series of synthetic storms; the storm surge for each storm is estimated using a Bathystrophic storm surge model. The storm surge hydrograph is then used as input to a numerical erosion simulation model which determines beach profile response for each storm based on wave energy dissipation per unit volume as a general erosion forcing mechanism. Five 100-year random simulations are performed from which the return periods of storm surge and erosion, i.e. volume eroded and dune recession, are estimated.