Validation of Numerical Model for Wind Waves and Swell in Harbors

Abstract

The numerical wave model HARBD has been used extensively within and outside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for estimating waves in harbors. The model was originally developed for long waves (harbor oscillations). It has been extended for use with short waves (wind waves and swell) and validated by several investigations, most notably Chen's (1986) fundamental investigation of long waves in a rectangular harbor. This study focuses on short-wave validation. The model is tested with several simple domains, in most cases with uniform depth. It is validated with laboratory data for irregular wave diffraction around a semi-infinite breakwater. Both broad and narrow directional spreads are considered. The model is also compared to widely accepted curves for regular and irregular wave diffraction through a breakwater gap. Field validation of the model for Kaumalapau Harbor, Lanai, Hawaii, is discussed. Tests demonstrate the effect of input parameters on model results and provide guidelines about the choice of parameter values in future modeling efforts.