ADCIRC is a widely used acronym in the field of coastal engineering and hydrodynamics, referring to the "Advanced Circulation Model." It is a numerical computer model that simulates the behavior of water and its interaction with various physical elements in coastal areas.
The ADCIRC model solves numerical equations that represent fluid dynamics, including the fundamental Navier-Stokes equations, which describe the motion of fluid substances. Additionally, ADCIRC incorporates the effects of tides, winds, atmospheric pressure, and other factors, providing a comprehensive simulation of coastal hydrodynamics.
The model subdivides coastal areas into a network of interconnected nodes and computational cells, allowing accurate representation of the complex geometry and bathymetry (the measurement of water depths) of the region being simulated. By discretizing space and incorporating relevant physics, ADCIRC can predict water levels, wave heights, currents, and other important factors during coastal events such as storms, hurricanes, or tsunamis.
The output of an ADCIRC simulation can be used to inform a wide range of coastal engineering and hazard assessment applications. This includes predicting flood extents, assessing the vulnerability of coastal structures, designing coastal protection systems, and supporting emergency response planning. Additionally, ADCIRC has been extensively validated against field observations and experimental measurements, making it a trusted tool in the scientific community.
Overall, ADCIRC is a powerful computational tool used to understand and predict coastal hydrodynamics, contributing to informed decision-making processes and aiding in the management and protection of coastal areas.
