Modelling Belgian Coast: ScaldisCoast: sub report 5 – Release notes ScaldisCoast 2026
Wang, L.; Kolokythas, G.; Breugem, W.A.; De Maerschalck, B. (2026). Modelling Belgian Coast: ScaldisCoast: sub report 5 – Release notes ScaldisCoast 2026. Versie 4.0. FH reports, 21_104_5. Flanders Hydraulics: Antwerpen. VII, 34 + 6 app. pp.
Part of: FH reports. Flanders Hydraulics: Antwerp. , more
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Document type: Project report
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| Authors | | Top |
- Wang, L., more
- Kolokythas, G., more
- Breugem, W.A.
- De Maerschalck, B., more
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| Abstract |
This report presents the release notes for the ScaldisCoast 2026 model, focusing on improvements in sediment transport modelling for the Belgian coast. In previous applications, the widely used Bijker formulation was found to exhibit strong sensitivity to grain size, leading to unrealistic variability in predicted transport rates. In addition, the formulation is primarily driven by wave action, resulting in limited sediment transport in areas with weak or absent wave influence, such as estuaries.<br> Furthermore, the sediment distribution was represented using only two grain-size fractions, with their relative proportions derived from transport rates associated with the Bijker formulation. As a result, the sediment composition became dependent on the selected transport formulation, limiting the generality and transferability of the modelling approach.<br> To address these limitations, alternative sediment transport formulations are investigated, with a particular focus on the formulation of Wu & Lin. A schematised numerical model is first applied to systematically evaluate the sensitivity of different formulations to grain size and hydrodynamic forcing. A multi-fraction sediment approach is introduced to provide a more realistic and formulation-independent representation of sediment composition. In addition, an advection-diffusion transport approach is implemented to enable the representation of cross-shore sediment transport within the 2D modelling framework.<br> The updated modelling framework is subsequently validated using the full ScaldisCoast model through a series of real-case applications along the Belgian coast, covering both long-term and short-term morphodynamic processes. These include bed evolution near the western dam of Zeebrugge, erosion at Wenduine, annual sedimentation at Blankenberge, and storm-induced siltation during Storm Ciara (2020).<br> The results demonstrate that all tested formulations reproduce the overall magnitude of sediment transport; however, differences remain in the spatial distribution of sedimentation and erosion. The study highlights the successful application of the Wu & Lin formulation with multiple sediment fractions and provides a more robust and transferable framework for coastal morphodynamic modelling. |
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