3 SIMPLE-MODELS OF WAVE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT

The process of sediment transport by nonbreaking waves over horizontal, rippled beds is presented by three different models which are evaluated through comparison with wave flume data. The conslusion from this testing is 'the simpler the better'. It is shown that the process in question can in fact be modelled adequately without quantitative consideration of the suspended sediment distribution. Only a reference average concentration at the bed is needed. On the other hand, classical diffusion models severely underpredict the transport of coarse sand in suspension because the process is much more organized than diffusion. The possibility of adapting the models to conditions involving sheet flow and/or breaking waves is discussed.