Storm surge inundation simulations comparing three-dimensional with two-dimensional models based on Typhoon Maemi over Masan Bay of South Korea

Abstract

Severe storm surge inundation was caused by the typhoon Maemi in Masan Bay, South Korea in September 2003. To investigate the differences in the storm surge inundation simulated by three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional models, we used the ADvanced CIRCulation model (ADCIRC) and 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model (FLOW3D). The simulation results were compared to the flood plain map of Masan Bay following the typhoon Maemi. To improve the accuracy of FLOW3D, we used a high-resolution digital surface model with a few tens of centimeter-resolution, produced by aerial LIDAR survey. Comparison of the results between ADCRIC and FLOW3D simulations shows that the inclusion of detailed information on buildings and topography has an impact, delaying seawater propagation and resulting in a reduced inundation depth and flooding area. Furthermore, we simulated the effect of the installation of a storm surge barrier on the storm surge inundation. The barrier acted to decrease the water volume of the inundation and delayed the arrival time of the storm surge, implying that the storm surge barrier provides more time for residents' evacuation.