Numerical Simulation of Tsunami Waves to Assess the Effect of Beach Slope and Width on Wave Height

Tsunami waves happen every year in different locations of the seas and oceans of the world. These waves propagate with high celerity in different directions and when these waves reach the coast cause serious damage to the beach، coastal structures and facilities. Therefore understanding this complicated phenomenon and prediction of its behavior can minimize the damages. In this research a numerical simulation was performed on tsunami phenomenon. The objective of the research was to predict the wave characteristics as it reaches the coastal zone. Flow3D software was used for this purpose. Assuming viscous flow for sea water، Navier Stokes as governing equations together with volume of fluid method was used to simulate tsunami waves in FLOW 3D software. A single wave was generated using a simulated piston type wave maker in the lateral boundary of the study domain. Waves are generated in deep water and propagate towards the beach. The simulation results revealed the considerable increase in wave height in coastal zone. The rate of height increase versus slope was calculated. Furthermore effect of decrease in width of the coastal zone on wave height increase was considered.