Computer Simulation Modeling of Ebb-Tidal Deltas

by James C. Gibeaut, Univ of South Florida, Tampa, United States,
Richard A. Davis, Jr., Univ of South Florida, Tampa, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Sediments

Abstract:

An ebb-tidal delta simulation model has been developed incorporating gross features of delta and channel morphologies which can be measured from vertical aerial photographs. Delta and channel measurements are standardized by the length of the delta along the shore. Thus the total length between the two points where the delta attaches to the shore is 1. The seaward edge of ebb deltas are modeled with a modified beta probability function: F(x) = (x^?)(1-x)^?. The beta function is adjusted so that the area under the computed curve is the same as the area described by the data. Values of ? and ? are sensitive to the amount of protuberance and the symmetry or asymmetry of the deltas. The remaining parameters include the following: left and right shoreline offsets; mid-channel position and width at the shoreline; and main ebb channel length and orientation. Parameters of the simulation model may be used for rigorous morphological classifications of ebb-tidal deltas and as morphological input to process-response models.

Subject Headings: Tides | Simulation models | Computer models | Channels (waterway) | Coastal processes | Flow measurement | Aerial photography

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search