Three-Dimensional SPH Modeling of a Bar/Rip Channel System

Abstract

A Lagrangian numerical method called smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is used to analyze a simplified bar/rip channel system on a beach. Prior studies have shown that SPH models propagate water waves well, including breaking waves; here, it is shown that SPH also models the mean wave-induced nearshore circulation created by breaking waves. The model predictions are compared with the previous laboratory measurements and show good agreement, including the mean velocity profiles, mean surface elevation, and cross-shore velocity components over the rip channel. The alongshore variation of various components of radiation stress and the resulting alongshore force that acts as a feeder for the rip current are obtained from the numerical results.