Paul Tan

Oscillations of Semi-enclosed Water Body Induced by Hurricanes: Simulation of Oscillations at Lake Pontchartrain Induced by Hurricane Katrina Paul Tan

The primary focus of this research is to study the oscillations of semi-enclosed water body, such as estuaries, harbors, lakes, etc., induced by hurricanes. The physical mechanisms of the wind-induced oscillation (storm surge) in a semi-enclosed water body are analyzed by the depth-averaged, non-linear shallow water equations (NLSW). The numerical model using the finite-volume method (FVM) to solved the depth-averaged, non-linear shallow-water equations (NLSW) is developed and the present model is verified by the intensive field date published by the Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (IPET) in the investigation report titled "Performance Evaluation of the New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana Hurricane Protection System". The major application of the present model is to assist the design of water-front structure protecting the semi-enclosed water body that has been impacted by the storm surges induced by hurricanes. The numerical simulations created by the present model can help the planners to determine a better strategy for the hurricane protection systems surrounding the communities along the semi-enclosed water body.