Abstract

The studies on the effect of distortion ratios on physical models are summarized in three respects of analysis, experiments and numerical models. A new research work about the effect of distortion ratio on physical model of tidal currents, waves and sediment transport is introduced. From a series of generalized physical models, experiments for clear water and suspended load with a fixed bed and a movable bed under tide and waves are carried out, respectively. Discussed are the effect of distortion ratios on the tidal currents, the thickness of scour and deposit and the discharge of bed loads in the channel, and the local scour depth and scope in the presence of groins. The distortion ratio of physical models for estuaries and coastal regions in proposed.

Keywords: Tidal currents, waves, sedimentation, physical model experiment, distorted model, distortion ratio