Equilibrium Beach profile measurement and sediment analysis
Subtitle: Mustang Island, Texas
Contributors: Texas A&M
Publisher: Texas A&M; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1997
Place of publication: College Station, Texas; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Description: This engineering report describes the measurement techniques and results of an equilibrium beach profile      survey and sediment analysis. The main objective of the project was to obtain an accurate equilibrium beach      profile at a location on Mustang Island, and to compare the actual profile to a predicted profile. The predicted      profile is based on the median grain size diameter of sediment samples taken from the dune crest to      approximately 4000 ft offshore. The survey was accomplished using an electronic total station with a standard      surveying rod on land, and the underwater profile was measured with a sled towed behind a boat. A triple      prism was attached to both the top of the rod and sled. The sled is an aluminum and steel structure equipped      with two 12 ft long skids and a 36.5 ft mast. The predicted profiles are based on two methods. One method      uses Dean's equation for equilibrium beach profiles, z = Ax 2/3 , where z is the water depth, A is the profile      scale factor related to the sediment fall velocity, and x is the distance offshore. The other method involves a      more complex analysis described by Dean and Dalrymple, which accounts for a variation in sediment size and      profile scale factor, A, in the offshore direction. Both methods are described and compared in this report. This      data will also be used by Dr. R. G. Dean of the University of Florida in a study he is conducting on equilibrium      beach profile prediction.
Notes: Thesis (Master of Engineering) Texas A&M, Dec. 1997.

Includes bibliographical references (leaf 47)

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dk/dk cc:9116 03/11/98.