A Field Observation Framework for Concurrent Measurement of Surf Zone Hydrodynamics, Morphodynamics, and Geotechnical Properties

Sediment erodibility in coastal environments is expected to be influenced by geotechnical properties. However, most common coastal geomorphological models do not consider geotechnical parameters measurable in the nearshore and intertidal zone or their variability. In this study, geotechnical properties, hydrodynamics, and geomorphological change were measured at a sandy beach to explore the implementation of geotechnical parameters into modern sediment transport and coastal geomorphodynamic models. The field data collection included wave and water-level information and high-resolution topographic and bathymetric mapping alongside geotechnical testing at the sandy Atlantic side beach at the USACE Field Research Facility in Duck, North Carolina. The proposed survey strategy yielded co-located information on geotechnical properties, hydrodynamics, and geomorphological change despite challenging environmental conditions. For example, surficial sediment strength in the intertidal zone varied with tidal fluctuation. Implementation of observed onshore sediment transport will be explored and considered for the proposed coupled model.