A Curvilinear Version of a Quasi-3D Nearshore Circulation Model

Abstract

A curvilinear version of the nearshore circulation model SHORECIRC is developed based on the quasi-3D nearshore circulation equations derived by Putrevu and Svendsen [Eur. J. Mech. 18 (1999) 409 427]. We use a generalized coordinate transformation and re-derive the equations in tensor-invariant forms. The contravariant component technique is used to simplify both the transformed equations and boundary conditions. A high-order finite-difference scheme with a staggered grid in the image domain is adopted for the numerical model. Very good convergence rates with both grid refinement and time refinement are obtained in a simple convergence test. The model is then applied to four cases involving either a non-orthogonal quadrilateral grid or a generalized curvilinear grid. The versatility of the curvilinear model in dealing with curved shorelines, nearshore breakwaters and other complicated geometries is demonstrated in the test cases. The accuracy of the model is shown in the paper through model/data comparisons in two of the case studies.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA489691

Entities

People

  • Fengyan Shi
  • Ib A. Svendsen
  • James T Kirby
  • Jane M. Smith

Organizations

  • University of Delaware

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cartesian Coordinates
  • Case Studies
  • Coastal Engineering
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Geometry
  • Measurement
  • Sea Level Rise
  • Shallow Water
  • Storm Surges
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)