Coastal morphological modeling to assess the dynamics of Arklow Bank, Ireland

A numerical modeling and simulation experiment is carried out to assess the sediment dynamics of Arklow Bank, Ireland. To meet a requirement for favorable site selection to establish windmills on the bank, the long-term morphological changes of the coast are studied using the CAMS (Coastal Area Morphological Shell) model of the Mike-21 suite of programs. The morphological modeling of the bank was accomplished by pursuing a probabilistic approach for the observed tide and wave characteristics that contribute significantly to the sediment transport processes over the bank. A series of simulations are performed using Mike-21 NSW (Nearshore Spectral Wind-Wave), HD (Hydrodynamic), and ST (Sand Transport) models to establish the coastal hydraulics parameters. The results of the morphological modeling showed that generally the bank is dynamically stable with most areas of the bank having average bed level changes on the order of ±8 cm/day.