Pre-operational forecasting of sea level height for the Río de la Plata

This paper presents the implementation and calibration of a pre-operational numerical model for the Río de la Plata river. This model is capable of predicting sea level variations in the Río de la Plata, and therefore constitutes a numerical tool of great value for the fluvial–maritime navigation and regional environmental management. A two-dimensional model (MOHID) with nested domains was used to simulate the hydrodynamics. This model was forced with a meso-scale atmospheric model (WRF) and a global tidal model (FES2004). The results obtained include astronomic and meteorological sea level variations in the Río de la Plata. Comparisons of modeled water levels with data have shown very good qualitative and quantitative agreement. The pre-operational test presented in this paper, a 4-day hydrodynamic forecast, was conducted in approximately 18 h.     

Numerical modelling of residual flow and salinity in the Río de la Plata

The Río de la Plata discharges into the Atlantic Ocean. The particular characteristics of the study area, the variable width and shallowness of the river, the high fluvial discharges and the dynamic processes involving interactions between river discharges, tidal currents and wind, generate complex velocity and salinity fields. We applied the hydrodynamic model RMA-10 to examine the effects of various forcing (tides, flow discharge and winds) on residual currents and salinity fields in the Río de la Plata, focusing on the outer zone of the river. The RMA-10 code, developed by Ian King, is a multiparameter finite element model representing estuarine flow in three dimensions. In this study the model has been applied in a depth-averaged-baroclinic mode and a series of observed data is used for model calibration and verification. The model result shows that it is able to simulate velocity and the salinity fields with a reasonable accuracy. The analysis of residual currents in the river, when forced by freshwater discharge and astronomical tide, shows that the flow discharge takes place mainly over the shallower areas of the river and that the saline water is advected up-river through the deeper channels. The numerical simulations show that the winds from the South-West and North-East quadrants have a great influence over the salinity and velocity fields.     

Hydrodynamic numerical simulation at the mouths of the Parana and Uruguay rivers and the upper Rio de la Plata estuary: A realistic boundary condition

A hydrodynamic numerical study at the mouths of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and the upper Río de la Plata is presented in this paper. Water Quality Mapping numerical model was implemented and realistic and very simple boundary conditions were specially developed for this complex estuarial system. A set of numerical experiments were carried out using different constant discharges for the Paraná and Uruguay rivers but unrealistic currents were generated. In order to obtain more realistic results, a set of numerical simulations were carried out imposing water level timeseries at the open boundaries. M₂, S₂, K₁ and O₁ harmonic constants were used to generate water levels at Zárate (Paraná river), Nueva Palmira (Uruguay river) and the eastern boundary of the domain (La Plata–Colonia). A mean water level equal to zero was set between La Plata and Colonia. Positive mean water levels (0.3–0.4 m) were imposed at Zárate and Nueva Palmira to simulate the hydraulic slope of both rivers and, consequently, to generate realistic and unsteady discharges. These boundary conditions, built by means of the addition of a mean water level and the astronomical tide, significantly improve the simulated currents at the northernmost region of the RDP estuary.     

A coupled wave–current–sediment transport model for an estuarine system: Application to the Río de la Plata and Montevideo Bay

Modelling the hydrodynamics and fine-sediment dynamics in estuarine environments is important for coastal engineering design and environmental assessment. This paper presents the application of a coupled wave–current–sediment transport model to a complex estuarine system with high spatial resolution in a harbour area. The case study was the Río de la Plata, with a focus on the Montevideo Bay area. We used a bidimensional depth-averaged approach, and the sediment transport modelling focused on fine cohesive sediments. The model considers realistic forcings, allows for the simulation of complex geometries such as those present in harbour basins and is capable of providing long-term environmental simulations (on the order of several years) within reasonable computational times. The model results are in good agreement with the measured data and satisfactorily represent the main features of the flow and sediment dynamics of the Río de la Plata. The effect of the internal coupling on the hydrodynamic results is analysed, and the computational times with various coupling alternatives are discussed.The dynamics of fine sediment in Montevideo Bay were analysed based on the model results. The current-induced bottom shear stress results are relevant for representing the permanent suspended sediment concentrations, whereas the wave-induced bottom shear stress is fundamental for reproducing the main resuspension events during storm conditions. The suspended fine-sediment dynamics in the estuary are strongly controlled by the sediment exchange between the bed and water column, whereas inside Montevideo Bay, the dynamics are controlled mainly by advection of sediment originating from the nearby coastal area.     

Numerical modeling of hydrodynamic and hydrothermal characteristics in subtropical alpine lake

A three-dimensional, time-dependent hydrodynamic and hydrothermal model was performed and applied to the subtropical alpine Yuan-Yang Lake (YYL) in northeastern region of Taiwan. The model was driven with discharge inflow, heat, and wind stress to simulate the hydrodynamic and hydrothermal in the lake. The model was validated with measured water surface elevation, current, and temperature in 2008. The overall model simulation results are in quantitative agreement with the available field data. The validated model was then used to investigate wind-driven current, mean circulation, and residence time in the YYL. The modeling results reveal that the velocity field along the wind axis present the variations over depth with return current where the velocity at the surface layer is along the wind direction while it is opposite near 1 m below water surface. The simulated mean current indicates that the surface currents flow towards the southwest direction and form a clock-wise rotation. The calculated residence time is strongly dependent on the inflows and wind effects. Regression analysis of model results reveals that an exponential regression equation can be employed to correlate the residence time to change of discharge input. The residence time without wind stress is higher than that with wind effect, indicating that wind plays an important role in lake mixing. The calculated residence time is approximately 2-2.5 days under low inflow with wind effect.     

Modelling the impact of wind stress and river discharge on Danshuei River plume

A three-dimensional, time-dependent, baroclinic, hydrodynamic and salinity model, UnTRIM, was performed and applied to the Danshuei River estuarine system and adjacent coastal sea in northern Taiwan. The model forcing functions consist of tidal elevations along the open boundaries and freshwater inflows from the main stream and major tributaries in the Danshuei River estuarine system. The bottom friction coefficient was adjusted to achieve model calibration and verification in model simulations of barotropic and baroclinic flows. The turbulent diffusivities were ascertained through comparison of simulated salinity time series with observations. The model simulation results are in qualitative agreement with the available field data.     

Three-dimensional numerical modeling of thermohaline and wind-driven circulations in the Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf circulation is investigated with respect to the relevant forcing mechanism including wind stress and thermohaline surface fluxes by using a three-dimensional numerical hydrodynamic model. The model results show a correlation between the strength of the bottom layer outflow of the Persian Gulf and that of the Indian Ocean Surface Water (IOSW) inflow into the Gulf. The inflow of IOSW into the Gulf attain maximum values in May–June in conjunction with peak bottom outflow through the Hormuz Strait. The results of sensitivity experiment indicate that circulation is dominated by thermohaline flows at almost all parts of the Gulf. The heat fluxes play an essential role on the general circulation of the Persian Gulf. In spring and summer, the wind stress generates southeast-flowing surface currents of magnitude about 5 cm/s along the Saudi Arabia and Iranian coasts on the northern Gulf. In winter and autumn, due to weak static stability, the wind produces mesoscale eddies in most parts of the Gulf. In winter and spring the wind stress acts to reinforce the thermohaline circulation of deep outflow. Conversely, in summer and autumn the wind forcing acts in opposition to the thermohaline forcing and causes a bottom inflow from Oman Sea into the Gulf.     

Coupling of a one-dimensional river routing model and a three-dimensional ocean model to predict overbank flows in a complex river–ocean system

River–ocean coupled models were developed to calculate overbank flows in a complex river–coastal ocean system comprising the Wu River and the adjacent coastal ocean of central Taiwan. The hydrodynamic quantities were exchanged between one-dimensional and three-dimensional domains during runtime to resolve the real-time exchange and interaction between the coastal waters and the river system. The coupled model was calibrated and verified with the observed water levels using data from three typhoon events. The results indicate a reasonable agreement between the model simulations and the observed data. The model was then used to calculate hydrographs of the overbank flow caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which occurred in 2008. The simulated overbank flows quantitatively agreed with the reported information. We also demonstrated that most of the overbank flows occurred at the upper reaches of the tributaries of the Wu River system, except for the tributary in the Fazi River.     

一种适用于非均匀地形的高阶Boussinesq水波模型

推导了适用于变地形情况的高阶Boussinesq波浪模型．该模型采用自由表面边界条件作为时间步进方程,利用势函数满足的Laplace方程的解析解形式建立了自由表面边界速度和底面边界速度之间的关系,使得问题封闭．以0.5倍相对水深处的速度为基本未知量,在对Laplace方程解析解进行级数求逆时保留水深梯度的高阶项,改进了速度场的Taylor展开式．对于线性特性,进行了线性浅化和Booij反射的验证性计算．为了检验有背景流动情况下拓展的Boussinesq模型的性态,对波-流相互作用问题进行了数值模拟．数值计算结果与现有理论解或其他完全势流的数值解吻合良好,表明该模型的应用范围可以扩展到含有非均匀变化地形的问题．     

Residual currents and corridor of flow in the Rio de la Plata

The Rio de la Plata is a large and shallow water body that discharges onto the Atlantic Ocean. The main driving forces for the river flow are the bathymetry, tides, the outflow from the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and the winds. A numerical model covering the entire river was set up with the objective of increasing our understanding of the hydrographical features and morphological dynamics in the Estuary. The simulations revealed a counter-clockwise residual circulation in the Samborombón Bay and an eastward net flow near the Uruguayan coast. The residual flow is forced by both the tides and the bathymetry. The residence time for the entire river ranges from 40 to 80 days. However, residence times above 120 days was found in the Samborombón Bay. Three corridors of flow have been identified.     

桩基承台结构的波流力研究进展

我国近海风电场建设大多采用桩基承台结构．总结了不规则波浪和水流共同作用下桩基承台结构的波流力物理模型实验结果,得到了群桩效应系数及其变化规律,讨论了作用于近水面承台底部的波浪拍击力;从理论上分析了规则波作用下承台对桩基波浪力的影响;建立了规则波与桩基承台相互作用的数值模型,揭示了波浪在承台的上浪与爬高及其水动力特征．鉴于桩基承台结构包含多个斜桩和较大尺度的承台,在波浪与水流作用下该结构物附近的流场结构十分复杂,有必要针对结构附近的流动结构以及自由表面大变形开展细致的实验和数值模拟研究,以进一步揭示作用于这类结构的波流力变化规律及其机理.     

Modelling and simulation of wave transformation in porous structures using VOF based two-phase flow model

This paper represents the results of wave transformation in porous structures and hydraulic performance of a vertical porous seawall. The study was carried out using a VOF based two-phase numerical hydrodynamic model. The model was developed by coupling an ordinary porous flow model based on extended Navier–Stokes equations for porous media, and a two-phase flow model. A unique solution domain was established with proper treatment of the interface boundary between water, air and the structure. The VOF method with an improved fluid advection algorithm was used to trace the interface between water and air. The resistance to flow caused by the presence of structural material was modeled in terms of drag and inertia forces. The parameters that govern resistance to flow in a porous media were calibrated for a typical structural setup and then the computational efficacy of the model was evaluated for several wave and structural conditions other than the calibrated setup. A set of comparisons of wave properties in and around the structure showed that the model reproduced reasonably good agreement between computed results and measured data. The model was then applied to investigate wave transformation in a vertical porous structure. The role of porosity and width of a structure in reducing wave reflection and increasing energy dissipation was investigated. It is confirmed that there exists an optimum value of structure width and porosity that can maximize hydraulic performances of a porous seawall.     

Hydrogeochemical modeling for groundwater management in arid and semiarid regions using MODFLOW and MT3DMS: A case study of the Jeffara of Medenine coastal aquifer,South-Eastern Tunisia

The study of water quality and the quantification of reserves and their variations according to natural and anthropogenic forcing is necessary to establish an adequate management plan for groundwater resources. For this purpose, a modeling approach is a useful tool that allows, after calibration phase and verification of simulation, and under different scenarios of forcing and operational changes, to estimate and control the groundwater quantity and quality. The main objective of this study is to collect all available data in a model that simulates the Jeffara of Medenine coastal aquifer system functioning. To achieve this goal, a conceptual model was constructed based on previous studies and hydrogeological investigations. The regional groundwater numerical flow model for the Jeffara aquifer was developed using MODFLOW working under steady-state and transient conditions. Groundwater elevations measured from the piezometric wells distributed throughout the study area in 1973 were selected as the target water levels for steady state (head) model calibration. A transient simulation was undertaken for the 42 years from 1973 to 2015. The historical transient model calibration was satisfactory, consistent with the continuous piezometric decline in response to the increase in groundwater abstraction. The developed numerical model was used to study the system's behavior over the next 35 years under various constraints. Two scenarios for potential groundwater extraction for the period 2015–2050 are presented. The predictive simulations show the effect of the increase of the exploitation on the piezometric levels. To study the phenomenon of salinization, which is one of the most severe and widespread groundwater contamination problems, especially in coastal regions, a solute transport model has been constructed by using MT3DMS software coupled with the groundwater flow model. The best calibration results are obtained when the connection with the overlying superficial aquifer is considered suggesting that groundwater contamination originates from this aquifer. Recommendations for water resource managers

• The results of this study show that Groundwater resources of Jeffara of Medenine coastal aquifer in Tunisia are under immense pressure from multiple stresses.
• The water resources manager must consider the impact of economic and demographic development in groundwater management to avoid the intrusion of saline water.
• The results obtained presented some reference information that can serve as a basis for water resources planning.
• The model runs to provide information that managers can use to regulate and adequately control the Jeffara of Medenine water resources.

     

Recent progresses in studies on wave-current loads on foundation structure with piles and slab?

The foundation structure with piles and slab is widely used in o?shore wind farm construction in shallow water. Experimental studies on the hydrodynamic loads acting on the piles and slab under irregular waves and currents are summarized with discussion on the e?ects of pile grouping on the wave forces and wave impact loads on the slab locating near the free surface. By applying the theoretical solution of the wave di?racted by the slab and using the Morison equation to evaluate the wave force on the piles, the e?ects of the slab on the wave forces acting on the piles are analyzed. Based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and the volume of ?uid (VOF) method, a numerical wave basin is developed to simulate the wave-structure interaction. The computed maximum wave force on the foundation structure with piles and slab agrees well with the measured data. The violent deformation, breaking, and run-up of the wave around the structure are presented and discussed. Further work on the turbulent ?ow structures and large deformation of the free surface due to interaction of the waves and foundation structures of o?shore wind farms needs more e?cient approaches for evaluating hydrodynamic loads under the e?ects of nonlinear waves and currents.     

Wave propagation in imperfectly periodic structures: A random evolution approach

After a brief review of some results pertaining to wave propagation in periodic structures and to random evolutions, we propose a random evolution model for wave propagation in a randomly disordered periodic structure. The model is investigated in the particular case of a two layer laminated composite with layers of random thicknesses. It is shown that there is at most one propagating frequency for Floquet waves of the average solution.

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Résumé Après un bref rappel de quelques résultats concernant la propagation des ondes dans les structures périodiques et les évolutions aléatoires, on propose un modèle pour la propagation des ondes dans une structure périodique avec imperfections aléatoires basé sur les évolutions aléatoires. Ce modèle est analysé dans le cas particulier d'un matériau laminé composite à deux couches d'épaisseurs variant de manière aléatoire. On démontre qu'il existe au plus une seule fréquence correspondant à la propagation d'une onde de Floquet pour la solution moyenne.

     

Numerical grids used in a coastal ocean model with breaking wave effects

In coastal ocean modeling, traditional single-block rectangular (Cartesian) grids have been most commonly used for their simplicity. In many cases, these grids may be not well suited (even at very high resolutions) for regions with complicated physical fields, open boundaries, coastlines, and bottom bathymetry. The numerical curvilinear nearly orthogonal/orthogonal, single/multi-block coastline-following grids for the Mediterranean Sea, Monterey Bay and the South China Sea (SCS) are presented. These grids can be used in coastal ocean modeling to enhance model numerical solutions and save computer resources by giving better treatment of regions with high gradients such as areas of complicated coastlines and steep slopes of shelf breaks, complicated bottom topography, open boundaries, and multi-scale physical phenomenon. Grid generation techniques are used to designed these grids. This kind of grids can also easily increase horizontal resolutions in the subregion of the model domain, without increasing the computational expense, with a higher resolution over the entire domain.A three dimensional coastal ocean model with breaking wave effects is also presented and applied. The ocean system is a primitive equation modeling system with grid generation routines and a turbulent closure which is capable of taking surface breaking wave effects into account. The system also includes a grid package which allows model numerical grids to be coupled with the ocean model. The model code is written for multi-block grids, but a single-block grid is used for the South China Sea (SCS). The model with breaking wave effects and a grid of 121 × 121 grid points are used to simulate the winter circulation of the SCS as an example. The model output of the 60-day run shows the observed upwelling locations in the sea surface salinity field.     

On determining the profile of steady wind-induced currents

A technique is developed to solve the steady-state hydrodynamic equations which describe wind-induced currents at a point. By using the Galerkin approach, with an expansion of complex coefficients and real functions, a continuous current profile can be computed from sea surface to sea bed for arbitrary vertical variations of viscosity. The method can incorporate slip or no-slip bottom boundary conditions, and gradients of sea surface elevation. The technique is used to investigate the influence of viscosity profile, bed stress and elevation gradient on surface current magnitude and direction. Calculations suggest that viscosity profile, bed stress, and elevation gradient all affect surface current, offering some explanation for the range of surface current magnitudes and directions reported in the literature.     

A New Class of Two‐Layer Green–Naghdi Systems with Improved Frequency Dispersion

We introduce a new class of Green–Naghdi type models for the propagation of internal waves between two (1 + 1)‐dimensional layers of homogeneous, immiscible, ideal, incompressible, and irrotational fluids, vertically delimited by a flat bottom and a rigid lid. These models are tailored to improve the frequency dispersion of the original bi‐layer Green–Naghdi model, and in particular to manage high‐frequency Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities, while maintaining its precision in the sense of consistency. Our models preserve the Hamiltonian structure, symmetry groups, and conserved quantities of the original model. We provide a rigorous justification of a class of our models thanks to consistency, well‐posedness, and stability results. These results apply in particular to the original Green–Naghdi model as well as to the Saint–Venant (hydrostatic shallow water) system with surface tension.     

Saltwater intrusion modeling: Verification and application to an agricultural coastal arid region in Oman

This paper deals with numerical modeling of density-dependent flow of saltwater intrusion in coastal groundwater systems. We present the implementation of an approach to solve a moving boundary problem for a dynamic water table within an invariant finite element mesh. The model is successfully validated against laboratory experiment data for an unconfined, density-dependent benchmark. The validated software is applied to a regional-scale study area and sufficiently calibrated for a steady state of pre-development conditions. Transient mass transport scenario simulations show good concordance with salinity measurements satisfyingly supporting the model setup.     

A stratified model of flow in a coastal trench

A stratified model of the circulation in a deep, narrow trench adjacent to a coast is described. The flow in the trench is driven by surface wind stress, coastal runoff and inflow at one end. The model is being developed to investigate the Norwegian coastal current flowing through the Norwegian Trench.