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SWAN overview
PURPOSE

SWAN is a spectral wave model, i.e. a model that computes random, short-crested
wind-generated waves in coastal regions and inland waters. It computes a spectrum of
the wave motion in each point of a grid overlaying the geographical area in which the
physical processes take place that determine the spectra in the region of interest, i.e.
the region where wave data are needed for a design of a coastal structure or for other
purposes.

The SWAN software and its graphical user interface (GUI) are distributed by Digital
Hydraulics Holland BV, Rotterdam, Holland, subject to conditions for use.

The SWAN version accessible by means of the GUI is a subset of the full SWAN
package that needs input in the form of commands. The text in this document describes
the facilities of this reduced SWAN version. The facilities of the full SWAN are found
in the SWAN user manual.

PROCEDURE

The GUI enables the user first to define all data and options needed to make a SWAN
computation, including the locations for which the user wishes to see the results of the
computation; he then instructs the GUI to start the actual SWAN computation, and
when this is finished he is able to view these results.
Using the GUI one first sees a main menu in which a number of general data and
options have to be defined.
From the main menu a menu can be started to define the bathymetry of the area under
consideration.
If there are obstacles in the area, these can be defined by means of the obstacle menu.
Finally output locations can be defined by a separate menu.

From each menu a help page can be consulted using the function key [F1].

PHYSICS

The reduced SWAN version accounts for the following physics:

 wave propagation in space, shoaling, refraction due to bottom slopes;

 wave generation by wind;
 three- and four-wave interactions;
 whitecapping, bottom friction, and depth-induced breaking;
 wave blocking by obstacles, such as impermeable breakwaters.

In contrast with the full SWAN version the user has no choice between options in the

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representation of the physics. The options used in the reduced SWAN version are the
default options of the full SWAN.
The user also cannot switch off certain physical effects.

All quantities, including geographical coordinates, must be expressed in SI units.

COMPUTATIONS

SWAN computations are made on a regular computational grid in a Cartesian

coordinate system, i.e. grid lines are equidistant and the two sets of grid lines are
perpendicular to each other.

OUTPUT QUANTITIES

SWAN provides the following output quantities (numerical files):

 one- and two-dimensional spectra,

 significant wave height and mean wave period,
 average wave direction and directional spreading.

The GUI is able to show these data in a graphical form.

OTHER FACILITIES

It is possible to retrieve data of a previous run: Click on the option “File” in the upper
left corner of the window; if you then click on the option “Open Controlfile” you can
select an existing control file and load it into your menus. The data can then be
modified using the main menu.
Other options under “File” are:

 New: all menus will be cleared

 Save: the data in the menus will be saved.
 Save As: the data will be saved in a new file.

It is possible to view graphical files written in HPGL-format by clicking on “Show”

and then on option “Plots”. You can select a file with extension “.HPG” or “.SPL” in
your working directory. Swan runs generated by the GUI will always generate such
plot files. Their content is similar to the figures shown by the GUI.

Clicking on “Help” gives the help files, i.e. the file you are reading now.

Last modified by Nico Booij, January 2008

© Digital Hydraulics Holland BV (2008)

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