Effect of Water Depth and Swell Parameters on Wave Propagation in the Coastal Zone of Benin
Bernard N. Tokpohozin *
Higher National Institute of Preparatory Classes for Engineering Studies (INSPEI / UNSTIM) of Abomey, Republic of Benin, Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (IMSP/UAC) 01BP 613 Porto-Novo), Republic of Benin and Laboratory of Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics (LSIMA/UNSTIM), Abomey, Republic of Benin.
Djonoumawou M. G. F. Chidikofan
Laboratory of Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics (LSIMA/UNSTIM), Abomey, Republic of Benin.
Fernando Y. J. Kpomahou
Higher Normal School of Technical Education (ENSET / UNSTIM) of Lokossa BP 133 Lokossa, Republic of Benin.
Christian D. Akowanou
Higher National Institute of Preparatory Classes for Engineering Studies (INSPEI / UNSTIM) of Abomey, Republic of Benin and Laboratory of Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics (LSIMA/UNSTIM), Abomey, Republic of Benin.
Mathias A. Houékpohéha
Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (IMSP/UAC) 01BP 613 Porto-Novo), Republic of Benin.
Guy H. Hounguè
Department of Physics (FAST) and Materials Sciences Doctoral Training, (FDSM / UAC), Republic of Benin.
et Basile B. Kounouhéwa
Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (IMSP/UAC) 01BP 613 Porto-Novo), Republic of Benin and Department of Physics (FAST) and Materials Sciences Doctoral Training, (FDSM / UAC), Republic of Benin.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The coastal zone is studied as a morphodynamic system in the present work. A morphodynamic system comprises a geomorphological entity that adjusts its morphology in response to variations in a dynamic component. In recent years, particularly from 2015 to 2016, strong swells have been observed and have induced the destruction of coastal infrastructure and strong coastal erosion in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly Benin. Following this observation, our study is carried out to understand the origin of these strong events. Through this work, we tried to highlight the effect of water depth and swell parameters on wave propagation using experimental models from the literature. For this reason, MATLAB and Mathematica software were used for simulations. It can be said from the results obtained that the wave height has a considerable effect on the wave profile. The variation in water depth as a function of distance from the bed shows that it significantly affects the wave and its components.
Keywords: Wave simulation, water depth, swell, wave propagation, Benin coastal zone