Author(s)

M. Hartnett, C. Morris & R. Leslie

Abstract

The use of computer-based numerical models to predict water circulation patterns and solute or contaminant dispersion in a water body is well- established in the field of coastal environmental engineering. Too often, however, such models are used without proper understanding of the parameters used in the mathematical formulation of the governing equations and the effects that varying these parameters within given ranges can have on the model results. In this paper the authors present the results of a range of parameter sensitivity tests carried out on one such numerical model, DIVAST. The sensitivity of the hydrodynamic sub-model to parameters affecting bed shear stress, eddy formatio

Keywords