CMS-Flow/RubbleMounds

Introduction

Rubble mounds are commonly utilized in the construction of breakwaters, jetties, revetments, and groins. These structures play an essential role in harbor protection, channel navigation, shoreline defense, and in managing flow, sediment movement, and wave energy mitigation. Figure 1 illustrates the implementation of a rubble mound breakwater. Given their significant impact on hydrodynamic behavior and sediment dynamics in coastal areas, it is critical for the CMS to accurately simulate the influence of rubble mound structures.

Usage of Rubble Mounds for CMS in the SMS

Early SMS versions (< 13.0)

Previous documentation (Link given below) described the formulation and implementation of Rubble Mound structures in CMS, detailing input requirements for SMS versions up to 11.2. This implementation required hand-manipulation of the CMS-Flow parameter files to add in lists of cells and option values.

Later SMS versions (13.0 to 13.3.8)

An undocumented update in SMS version 13.0 introduced a method to use constant values for cells enclosed within a polygon. There was no implementation of datasets to hold the parameter values in this version, however. This implementation created a "Rubble Mound Jetties" coverage that the user must populate and attach to the CMS-Flow simulations.

Recent SMS version (13.3.9+)

The rubble mound polygon dialog in SMS 13.3.9 and later was modified to allow for user-selection of either constant values or datasets for rock diameter, base depth, and porosity.

Future SMS versions (13.4.x)

SMS 13.4 CMS-Flow model coverages.

• The existing "Rubble Mound Jetties" coverage beneath the CMS-Flow model option in SMS 13.3 and earlier has been renamed "Rubble Mound (legacy)" in the new interface.
• A new "Structures" coverage has been added beneath the CMS-Flow model option in SMS 13.4 and later. This one coverage will handle Rubble Mound structures as well as three new types: Culverts, Weirs, and Tide Gates.
  • In the new coverage, Rubble Mound structures will continue to be defined with polygons where each can have a set of attributes (either constant or from a dataset).
• The "Structures" coverage will need to be applied to the CMS Simulation in order to export the appropriate cards to the parameter file.

Documentation

A technical note was started in 2024 for the newer implementation of Rubble Mounds. With the implementation of the other structures being imminent in SMS 13.4, the material for Rubble Mounds will be incorporated into a larger Special Report in FY25 that covers all four structures. The original method for implementing Rubble Mounds in CMS is covered by the technical note listed below.

• Implementation of Structures in the CMS: Part I, Rubble Mound

Last update 9/24/2024 Back to CMS-Flow Structures page Back to Documentation Portal