Modeling of sediment transport processes in Alara, Turkey

Abstract

There are various methods to investigate the effects of the coastal structures on coastal morphology. These can be grouped as physical and numerical models (numerical simulations). Since measurements of wave data are short term in Turkey, wind waves are hind casted by using long-term wind data. With the aid of numerical models, wave propagation from deep to shallow water can successfully be modeled, and the resulting currents from breaking waves, the amount longshore sediment transport and shoreline changes due to coastal structures can successfully be predicted. In this study, wind and wave induced coastal currents, and longshore sediment transport at the outlet of Alara River to Antalya Bay are modeled by using three dimensional hydrodynamic and transport numerical model HYDROTAM 3D. Wind and wave climate studies are based on the hourly data of Alanya Meteorological Station between the years 1970-2011. The model studies showed that the longshore sediment transport is along WestNorthWest (WNW)-EastSouthEast(ESE) direction. It is concluded that the net yearly sediment transport from east to west is 22237 m3.