Main challenges of Boussinesq-type models are accurate and large-scale simulation of waves propagating towards near-shore from deep to shallow waters through surf zones, while accounting for high-order dispersive and nonlinear effects \cite{ch7:Cavaleri2007603}. Within the last two decades, much research has focused on extending the application range through improved formulations in terms of dispersion, shoaling, kinematic and nonlinear properties. The ultimate high-order Boussinesq-type model due to \cite{ch7:MBS03} was at the time considered a breakthrough in this direction, and since then promising new formulations have been proposed. For example, the methodology behind Boussinesq-type formulations can be extended via a multilayer approach \cite{ch7:LynettEtAl2004a,ch7:LynettEtAl2004b,ch7:ChazelEtAl2010} that makes it possible to achieve a similar range of application and levels of accuracy, but without higher derivatives in the formulation that can cause numerical difficulties.
Boussinesq-type formulations for free surface waves are conventionally evaluated against the unified potential flow theory to evaluate limits to application range and accuracy limits. The use of unified potential theory as a basis for numerical models has traditionally been perceived as too expensive \cite{ch7:Lin2008} to solve in comparison with the typically more efficient Boussinesq-type models. This may be true in a strict comparison between the models, especially with respect to applications towards the more restricted shallow regions. However, this is in spite of the fact that a numerical unified potential flow model can be used for a larger range of practical scientific applications. A unified potential flow model has at most second-order derivatives in the formulation. In a numerical setting it has good opportunities for balancing accuracy and work effort by appropriate tuning of discrete parameters. This comes without a need for changing the underlying wave model to extend application range towards deep waters. Thus, the main problem related to the practical use of a unified model in maritime applications is arguably an issue of numerical efficiency.
Main challenges of Boussinesq-type models are accurate and large-scale simulation of waves propagating towards near-shore from deep to shallow waters through surf zones, while accounting for high-order dispersive and nonlinear effects \cite{ch7:Cavaleri2007603}. Within the last two decades, much research has focused on extending the application range through improved formulations in terms of dispersion, shoaling, kinematic and nonlinear properties. The ultimate high-order Boussinesq-type model due to \cite{ch7:MBS03} was at the time considered a breakthrough in this direction, and since then promising new formulations have been proposed. For example, the methodology behind Boussinesq-type formulations can be extended via a multilayer approach \cite{ch7:LynettEtAl2004a,ch7:LynettEtAl2004b,ch7:ChazelEtAl2010} that makes it possible to achieve a similar range of application and levels of accuracy, but without higher derivatives in the formulation that can cause numerical difficulties.
Boussinesq-type formulations for free surface waves are conventionally evaluated against the unified potential flow theory to evaluate limits to application range and accuracy limits. The use of unified potential theory as a basis for numerical models has traditionally been perceived as too expensive \cite{ch7:Lin2008} to solve in comparison with the typically more efficient Boussinesq-type models. This may be true in a strict comparison between the models, especially with respect to applications towards the more restricted shallow regions. However, this is in spite of the fact that a numerical unified potential flow model can be used for a larger range of practical scientific applications. A unified potential flow model has at most second-order derivatives in the formulation. In a numerical setting it has good opportunities for balancing accuracy and work effort by appropriate tuning of discrete parameters. This comes without a need for changing the underlying wave model to extend application range towards deep waters. Thus, the main problem related to the practical use of a unified model in maritime applications is arguably an issue of numerical efficiency.