Large eddy simulation of plunging solitary wave: Understanding the breaking and turbulent mechanisms along shoaling region

A large eddy simulation (LES) is conducted to investigate the distribution of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) under a plunging solitary wave over a 1:15 slope. This study provides a novel contribution to the field by examining the roles of resolved and sub-grid scale TKE in plunging solitary waves at the different stages of wave breaking. Furthermore, comparing the performances of two sub-grid scale (SGS) models in simulating the distribution of TKE was carried out to identify their performances. The separate investigation of these components in the context of wave breaking and recognizing the importance of an appropriate sub-grid scale model to consider the effects of small-scale eddies provide a significant advancement in understanding coastal morphological changes and nearshore sediment transport. Both the zero-equation and one-equation SGS models demonstrated acceptable performance in simulating water surface and kinematic properties. The one-equation SGS model, however, provided more accurate results on TKE transport during the breaking process and as the wave approaches its collapsing point. The study’s results reveal that an SGS model’s inability to simulate TKE transport (such as in the zero equation model) leads to inaccurate simulations of the TKE level and breaking location in the breaking zone. Additionally, the results of the one-equation model demonstrated that the maximum horizontal fluid velocity around the wavefront surface is a better predictor of breaking wave onset than the horizontal fluid velocity at the wave crest.