CERC Formula:
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The CERC (Coastal Engineering Research Center) formula calculates deepwater wave celerity based on total littoral transport, wave characteristics, and refraction effects. It provides an estimation of wave speed in deep water conditions for coastal engineering applications.
The calculator uses the CERC formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates wave celerity to sediment transport and wave characteristics, accounting for wave refraction effects at the breaker zone.
Details: Accurate wave celerity estimation is crucial for coastal engineering projects, shoreline management, sediment transport studies, and predicting coastal erosion patterns.
Tips: Enter total littoral transport in m³/s, deepwater wave height in meters, refraction coefficient (dimensionless), and angle of wave incidence in radians. All values must be positive.
Q1: What is deepwater wave celerity?
A: Deepwater wave celerity is the speed at which individual waves propagate in deep water conditions, typically calculated as the ratio of wavelength to wave period.
Q2: How does refraction coefficient affect wave celerity?
A: The refraction coefficient accounts for how waves change direction and speed as they approach shallower water, affecting the wave energy distribution along the coastline.
Q3: What is the typical range of deepwater wave celerity values?
A: Deepwater wave celerity typically ranges from 5-25 m/s, depending on wave period and water depth conditions.
Q4: Why is the angle of wave incidence important?
A: The angle of wave incidence determines how wave energy is distributed along the shoreline and affects the magnitude and direction of sediment transport.
Q5: What are the limitations of the CERC formula?
A: The formula assumes certain idealized conditions and may not account for complex coastal geometries, varying sediment characteristics, or wave-current interactions.