This volume reviews the state-of-the-art in conventional coastal modelling as well as the increasingly popular integration of various artificial intelligence technologies into coastal modelling. It examines conventional hydrodynamic and water quality modelling techniques, finite difference and finite element methods, novel and genetic algorithms, knowledge-based systems, artificial neural networks, and fuzzy inference systems. The author discusses soft computing methods that contribute to accurate and reliable prediction of coastal processes and describes how combining these techniques and harnessing their benefits has the potential to make extremely powerful modelling tools.

Combines More Than 40 Years of Expert ExperienceComputational modelling and simulation methods have a wide range of applications in hydraulic and coastal engineering. Computational Modelling in Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering provides an introductory but comprehensive coverage of these methods. It emphasizes the use of the finite differences meth

Laboratory physical models are a valuable tool for coastal engineers. Physical models help us to understand the complex hydrodynamic processes occurring in the nearshore zone and they provide reliable and economic engineering design solutions.This book is about the art and science of physical modeling as applied in coastal engineering. The aim of the book is to consolidate and synthesize into a single text much of the knowledge about physical modeling that has been developed worldwide.This book was written to serve as a graduate-level text for a course in physical modeling or as a reference text for engineers and researchers engaged in physical modeling and laboratory experimentation. The first three chapters serve as an introduction to similitude and physical models, covering topics such as advantages and disadvantages of physical models, systems of units, dimensional analysis, types of similitude and various hydraulic similitude criteria applicable to coastal engineering models.Practical application of similitude principles to coastal engineering studies is covered in Chapter 4 (Hydrodynamic Models), Chapter 5 (Coastal Structure Models) and Chapter 6 (Sediment Transport Models). These chapters develop the appropriate similitude criteria, discuss inherent laboratory and scale effects and overview the technical literature pertaining to these types of models. The final two chapters focus on the related subjects of laboratory wave generation (Chapter 7) and measurement and analysis techniques (Chapter 8).

This book carefully considers hydrological models which are essential for predicting floods, droughts, soil moisture estimation, land use change detection, geomorphology and water structures. The book highlights recent advances in the area of hydrological modelling in the Ganga Basin and other internationally important river basins. The impact of climate change on water resources is a global concern. Water resources in many countries are already stressed, and climate change along with burgeoning population, rising standard of living and increasing demand are adding to the stress. Furthermore, river basins are becoming less resilient to climatic vagaries. Fundamental to addressing these issues is hydrological modelling which is covered in this book. Integrated water resources management is vital to ensure water and food security. Integral to the management is groundwater and solute transport, and this book encompasses tools that will be useful to mitigate the adverse consequences of natural disasters.

Modelling forms a vital part of all engineering design, yet many hydraulic engineers are not fully aware of the assumptions they make. These assumptions can have important consequences when choosing the best model to inform design decisions. Considering the advantages and limitations of both physical and mathematical methods, this book will help you identify the most appropriate form of analysis for the hydraulic engineering application in question. All models require the knowledge of their background, good data and careful interpretation and so this book also provides guidance on the range of accuracy to be expected of the model simulations and how they should be related to the prototype. Applications to models include: open channel systems closed conduit flows storm drainage systems estuaries coastal and nearshore structures hydraulic structures. This an invaluable guide for students and professionals.

Combines More Than 40 Years of Expert Experience Computational modelling and simulation methods have a wide range of applications in hydraulic and coastal engineering. Computational Modelling in Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering provides an introductory but comprehensive coverage of these methods. It emphasizes the use of the finite differences method with applications in reservoir management, closed-conduit hydraulics, free-surface channel and coastal domain flows, surface gravity waves, groundwater movement, and pollutant and sediment transport processes.

Process-based morphodynamic modelling is one of the relatively new tools at the disposal of coastal scientists, engineers and managers. On paper, it offers the possibility to analyse morphological processes and to investigate the effects of various measures one might consider to alleviate some problems. For these to be applied in practice, a model should be relatively straightforward to set up. It should be accurate enough to represent the details of interest, it should run long enough and robustly to see the real effects happen, and the physical processes represented in such a way that the sediment generally goes in the right direction at the right rate. Next, practitioners must be able to judge if the patterns and outcomes of the model are realistic and finally, translate these colour pictures and vector plots to integrated parameters that are relevant to the client or end user. In a nutshell, this book provides an in-depth review of ways to model coastal processes, including many hands-on exercises.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, Lisbon, Portugal, July 4-15, 1988