Numerical Wave Modeling for Coastal Engineering

Coastal environments are in a constant state of flux because of wave action. Waves move sediments, erode shorelines, drive currents, disrupt navigation, and excite harbor oscillations. To manage successful coastal engineering projects by understanding the complex changing environment, the ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) created an innovative numerical wave modeling technology called the Steady State Spectral Wave (STWAVE).

Helps Manage Complex Coastal Engineering Projects

STWAVE allows coastal project engineers to numerically model wave generation and transformation over complex bathymetry, interaction of waves with currents and structures, and propagation of waves in entrances and harbors.

STWAVE is an easy-to-use, accurate, and efficient model for nearshore, wind-wave growth and propagation. STWAVE can simulate the following:

• Depth- and current-induced wave refraction and shoaling
• Depth- and steepness-induced wave breaking
• Parametric wave growth due to wind input
• Wave-wave interactions and white capping

Offers More Efficient Nearshore Wind-Wave Simulations

CHL engineers extended the wave transformation technology of STWAVE from a half-plane model to a full-plane model, including propagation and generation from all directions. The upgrade to STWAVE:

• Improves accuracy and range of applicability
• Increases model efficiency by approximately 50 percent
• Displays larger spatial coverage and higher resolution solutions

STWAVE uses the Surface Water Modeling System (SMS) and Coastal Engineering Design and Analysis System (CEDAS) interfaces and features an advanced grid-nesting technique for more efficient simulations.

For more information about STWAVE, visit CHL online.

ERDC Points of Contact
Questions about STWAVE?
Contact: Dr. Jane McKee Smith
Email: jane.m.smith@erdc.usace.army.mil
Phone: (601) 634-2079