Sensitivity analysis on the influence of water levels on wave numerical models. An example for the Northern Adriatic Sea

In this paper some numerical results obtained by a sensitivity analysis performed by applying the MIKE21 mathematical model package (developed by the Danish Hydraulic Institute) are presented, focussing the attention on the correct mean sea level to be adopted for accurately analysing the wave effects when a storm surge phenomenon is associated with the wave propagation The analysis is performed considering the Italian littoral near Cesenatico in the Northern Adriatic Sea and applying the models to that area. The numerical simulations consist of analysing the wave propagation toward the coastline, the hydraulic circulation close to the existing detached breakwaters, and the sand transport capacity along the littoral, under three different wave conditions. The final outcomes point out that an accurate schematisation of the wind set-up phenomenon to be associated with different wave attacks is needed only for certain purposes (e.g. when analysing the sediment transport patterns), while for others (e.g. when analysing only the wave propagation towards the shore) satisfactory results can be expected also disregarding the water level increase.