EM 1110-2-1100 (Part II)
30 Apr 02
Chapter II-8
Hydrodynamic Analysis and Design Conditions
II-8-1. Overview of Chapter
a. Objectives. Previous chapters in Part II provide detailed descriptions of the various processes
involved in coastal hydrodynamics. The purpose of this chapter is to draw together the key aspects of these
processes for design.
b. Contents. The following section gives a brief review of hydrodynamic processes covered in earlier
chapters and their relative importance to design. Part II-8-3 summarizes approaches to acquiring information
needed for design. Statistical methods needed for design analysis of short-term (single sea state) and long-
term information are discussed in Part II-8-4 and 8-5. Design aspects of key meteorological and
hydrodynamic processes are discussed in detail in Part II-8-6. Two design-related example problems are
included. Finally, the interdependence of processes during severe events, which often subjects a project to
extreme conditions of multiple processes (for example, extreme winds, waves, and water levels may occur
simultaneously in a very severe storm), is discussed in Part II-8-7. References are given in Part II-8-8.
c. Relationship to other chapters and parts.
(1) Earlier chapters in Part II generally present descriptions, statistics, and probability distribution
functions for short-term hydrodynamic processes. For example, the statistics of individual wave heights in
a sea state, a statistical definition of significant wave height, and the Rayleigh distribution are given in Part II-
1. The short-term variability of hydrodynamic processes can be important in design and results of earlier
chapters are briefly summarized in this chapter.
(2) The primary concern for design is long-term variation of processes, particularly extreme occurrences
over long time periods. For example, the highest significant wave height to be expected over a 25-year time
period (or other long-term time period) is often a critical design parameter. Long-term extremes are the main
focus of this chapter. This subject is generally not addressed in earlier chapters, with the notable exception
of Part II-5. Long-term water level analysis procedures presented in Part II-5 are referenced and briefly
summarized in the general hydrodynamic design framework given in this chapter.
(3) This chapter provides information on the hydrodynamic aspects of design, which are part of the more
comprehensive design process and procedures of Parts V and VI. The treatment of hydrodynamics in this
chapter is fairly general, whereas Parts V and VI develop more specific hydrodynamic design applications
for particular types of projects. This chapter provides necessary background for the material in Parts V and
VI. Also, broad design considerations, which encompass more than just the hydrodynamics, are deferred to
Part V.
II-8-2. Identifying Meteorological and Hydrodynamic Processes Impacting Design
a. Brief review of processes. The first step in hydrodynamic analysis for design is to identify the
meteorological and hydrodynamic processes that are likely to be important for design. The candidate
processes, discussed in previous chapters of Part II, are briefly reviewed here with emphasis on design
applications. The introduction to Part II-3 also provides perspective on processes.
b. Identifying relevant processes. In any particular design application, some (but not all) of the
meteorological and hydrodynamic processes will be relevant for analysis. These processes are identified by
Hydrodynamic Analysis and Design Conditions
II-8-1
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