Natural Headland Sand Bypassing : Towards Identifying and Modelling the Mechanisms and Processes

This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms and processes of natural headland sand bypassing in artificial and non-artificial coastal environments through a numerical modelling study. Headland sand bypassing processes in general is a relevant but poorly understood topic. This study attempts to link the theory and physics of headland sand bypassing processes which is significantly important in definition of coastal sedimentary budget. The main question is how can we model sand bypassing processes and whether the modelled sand bypassing processes represent the actual sand bypassing processes. In this study, it is shown that a process-based model can be used to simulate the processes of sand bypassing around groyne and headland structures. Both hypothetical and real case studies were successfully developed. Results comparisons were made among analytical models, empirical models and field data measurements. In general, the process-based model can produce reasonable results. In summary, through numerical modelling this study reveals the importance of understanding coastal processes and the role of geological controls in governing headland sand bypassing processes and embayed beach morphodynamics. The morphological model developed in this study is useful to increase understanding of the natural sand distribution patterns due to combination of engineering efforts and natural coastal processes.