| In this thesis, the morphology and hydrodynamic characteristics of an inlet are studied using the IMS-ADCIRC finite element and STWAVE finite difference models. The inlet is an idealization of the Shinnecock Inlet located in New York. Sixteen trials were run over fifteen days in which the resolution of the finite element grid, the direction of the wave radiation stress, and the tau0 numerical weighting parameter within IMS-ADCIRC were varied in an attempt to assess their impact on model results. Of the three factors varied, the simulation results were most dependent on the grid resolution, as bathymetric change and current velocity profiles were significantly different, particularly between those trials incorporating the coarsest finite element grid and those incorporating the finest finite element grid. Wave radiation stress direction was also found to be significant in examining the morphology of the region, as wave current forces driving bathymetric change were affected. Changes to the tau0 parameter yielded little change. |
