Beach Profile Modelling: Sensitivity Analysis on the Change of Physical Components

Beach profile modeling is still a task undergoing development. Because of the simplifications required to the present day conventional models, the applicability to real world problems remains limited. In addition, a lot of physical parameters are involved in the application process, introducing unknown percentages of uncertainty and even randomness. The main aim of this paper is, therefore, to quantify the overall uncertainty in profile dynamics predictions. More specifically, the paper will quantify the contributions of wave, current, turbulence, sediment transport, etc. predictions to this uncertainty. This will allow a scientific and engineering reading of the problem building "blocks" in a profile model. For this purpose and in order to make the exercise more useful, a widely used and tested profile model (SBEACH) has been selected. This paper is the first of a set checking all the involved parameters. INTRODUCTION A real profile on the Catalonian coast has been used. SBEACH model has been used varying all the parameters involved in its predictions, in the full range of validity, which the model accepts. Civil Engineer. Head of the Coastal Engineering Dpt. ALATEC-PROES, S.A. Virgen del Puerto, 5. 28005 Maddd (Spain). Tel.: § 91 366 59 59 http://www.alatec-proes.es. Email: jose.medina@alatec,es 2 Ph.D. Civil Engineer. Laboratod d'Enginyeda Maritima. Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. Jordi Girona 1-3. Campus Nord Ed.DI. 08034 Barcelona, Spain, Phone: § 93 401 64 68; Fax: +34 93 401 73 57. Email: a gustin.arcilla~,upc,es_ 3 Ph.D, Marine Sciences, Laboratori d'Enginyeria Maritima. Universitat PolitecnJca de Catalunya. Email: Jose.Jimenez(~,upc.es