Nearshore Tsunami Inundation Model Validation: Toward Sediment Transport Applications

Abstract

Model predictions from a numerical model, Delft3D, based on the nonlinear shallow water equations are compared with analytical results and laboratory observations from seven tsunami-like benchmark experiments, and with field observations from the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The model accurately predicts the magnitude and timing of the measured water levels and flow velocities, as well as the magnitude of the maximum inundation distance and run-up, for both breaking and non-breaking waves. The shock-capturing numerical scheme employed describes well the total decrease in wave height due to breaking, but does not reproduce the observed shoaling near the break point. The maximum water levels observed onshore near Kuala Meurisi, Sumatra, following the 26 December 2004 tsunami are well predicted given the uncertainty in the model setup. The good agreement between the model predictions and the analytical results and observations demonstrates that the numerical solution and wetting and drying methods employed are appropriate for modeling tsunami inundation for breaking and non-breaking long waves. Extension of the model to include sediment transport may be appropriate for long, non-breaking tsunami waves. Using available sediment transport formulations, the sediment deposit thickness at Kuala Meurisi is predicted generally within a factor of 2.

Performance Benchmarking of Tsunami-HySEA Model for NTHMP’s Inundation Mapping Activities

“…Besides NTHMP (2012) and references therein, for NTHMP-benchmarked tsunami models, other authors have performed similar benchmarking efforts as the one presented here with their particular models, as is the case of Nicolsky et al (2011), Apotsos et al (2011) or Tolkova (2014. In addition, a model intercomparison of eight NTHMP models for benchmarks 4 (laboratory simple beach) and 6 (conical island) can be found in the study by Horrillo et al (2015).…”

Introduction to “Tsunamis in the World Ocean: Past, Present, and Future. Volume II”

“…Two different wave amplitudes are applied to assess the distribution of the square of the Froude number along the coastline. APOTSOS et al (2011) present comparisons of Delft3D nonlinear shallow-water wave numerical model results with analytical, laboratory benchmark problems such as ones presented in SYNOLAKIS et al (2008). They employ wetting and drying methods for tsunami inundation modeling for breaking and nonbreaking waves and a shock-capturing scheme to describe the total decrease in wave height due to breaking.…”

Three-dimensional sediment transport processes on tsunami-induced topography changes in a harbor

“…Numerical models of tsunami-induced topography changes have been developed in a decade (Takahashi et al, 2000;Nishihata et al, 2006;Jaffe and Gelfenbuam, 2007;Huntington et al, 2007;Fujii et al, 2009;Gusman et al, 2010;Huang et al, 2010;Apotsos et al, 2011). These models are classified into two types; inverse models and forward models (Huntington et al, 2007).…”

“…In the vertically averaged models, vertical averaged velocities and suspended sediment concentrations are calculated, and vertical profiles of velocity and suspended sediment concentration are given analytically. On the other hand, Apotsos et al (2011) and Kihara and Matsuyama (2011) applied three dimensional hydrodynamic models with the hydrostatic assumption to estimations of topography changes in Kuala Meurisi, Sumatra, and Kirinda harbor, Sri Lanka, respectively, due to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Before applying to the sediment transport simulation, Apotsos et al (2011) carried out a set of benchmark simulations for tsunami run-up, but not for tsunami-induced sediment transport because no standardized benchmarks exists.…”

“…On the other hand, Apotsos et al (2011) and Kihara and Matsuyama (2011) applied three dimensional hydrodynamic models with the hydrostatic assumption to estimations of topography changes in Kuala Meurisi, Sumatra, and Kirinda harbor, Sri Lanka, respectively, due to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Before applying to the sediment transport simulation, Apotsos et al (2011) carried out a set of benchmark simulations for tsunami run-up, but not for tsunami-induced sediment transport because no standardized benchmarks exists. Fujii et al (2009) carried out an experiment using a wide flume in order to clarify characteristic flow patterns and topography changes in harbors due to a tsunami.…”