Abstract
This study investigates the performance of a vertically-Lagrangian multi-layer model on numerically simulating shoaling and breaking two-dimensional solitary waves during both the breaking and post-breaking processes. The energy dissipation of the breaking event for the multi-layer waves is analyzed and compared to prior direct numerical simulation work with the same bathymetric and wave cases. It shows very similar data collapse to shallow-water inertial theory. For post-breaking behavior, bore characteristics are compared to an experimental study of bores formed from breaking solitary waves and similar results are found. While the multi-layer method was not found to behave sufficiently well for direct force measurement at a vertical wall, the resulting bore characteristic behavior is found to be sufficient for use in theoretical estimations of the impact force on the wall. These findings in this study suggest that vertically-Lagrangian multilayer models resolve propagating bores sufficiently well when trying to estimate dynamic loads on vertical seawalls with minimal model tuning.
Recommended Citation
H. Boswell et al., "Energetics Analysis of Solitary Waves using a Multi-layer Model," Coastal Engineering, vol. 203, article no. 104868, Elsevier, Jan 2026.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2025.104868
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Publication Status
Open Access
Keywords and Phrases
Multi-layer method; Shallow-water; Wave breaking energetics
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0378-3839
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publication Date
15 Jan 2026
Comments
Mid-America Transportation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Grant None