A new shape function based on an exponential function and a hyperbolic function is derived to analyze the features of a prominent bar-type profile. The former exponential term represents the trend on the slope of the beach, whereas the latter hyperbolic term accounts for the geometric properties of the longshore bar. The present function provides a general functional form relating various geometric characteristics of a bar-type profile to two well-known dimensionless parameters: the surf zone parameter and the sediment fall velocity. An extensive nonlinear regression analysis was performed on field data as well as laboratory data measured from large wave tanks to test the validity of the present model. The model is capable of presenting the concave and convex features of a bar-type profile with a continuous equation without dividing a beach profile into many portions, which is a method commonly employed by previous studies. On the basis of the analysis, a model for describing the single bar beach profile is proposed.
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Journal of Coastal Research
Vol. 2006 • No. 223
May 2006
Vol. 2006 • No. 223
May 2006
continuous equation
nonlinear regression analysis
Storm beach profiles