Numerical Analysis of Modified Bed-profiles due to the Presence of a Rubble Mound Breakwater using Physics-Based Morphology Model[SeoulFoam]

Abstract

Among the many scouring-protection works near a rubble mound breakwater, stacking armoring rocks in multiple or single layers are most popular. The rationale of these scouring-protection works is based on the Equilibrium regime or the maximum scouring depth. However, considering natural beaches, which constantly change their shape according to sea waves conditions, the equilibrium regime or the maximum scouring depth mentioned above seems to foot on the fragile physical background. In this study, in order to test the above hypothesis, numerical simulations were carried out on the partial reflection from the slopes of rubble mound breakwater, and its ensuing standing waves formed in the front seas of a breakwater, the change in the bed profiles due to the formation of standing waves, and scouring depth at the base of a rubble mound breakwater. In doing so, numerical simulations were implemented using OlaFoam, an OpenFoam-based toolbox, and SeoulFoam (Cho, 2020), a physics-based morphology model. Numerical results show that the wave length of sand waves is closely linked with the incoming wave period, while amplitudes of sand waves are determined by incoming wave height. Moreover, the seabed profiles underwent significant changes due to the presence of a rubble mound breakwater. It was shown that the size of sand waves increased when compared before the installation, and the shape of sand waves is getting skewed toward the shore direction. It was also shown that as exposure time to standing waves increased, the amplitude of sand waves also increased, and the scouring depth near the base of a breakwater increased. These results are contrary to the Equilibrium regime, and the scouring prevention works based on the stacking of armoring rocks should be re-evaluated.