Vertical Grid Design for More Accurate and Efficient Surf Zone Simulation

• Published in: Coastal Engineering Journal Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 1450009-1 - 1450009-14
• Main Author: Bradford, Scott F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01.06.2014; World Scientific Publishing Company and Japan Society of Civil Engineers; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Accuracy; Computation; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Coordinate systems; Coordinates; Discretization; Divergence; flow simulation; Fluid flow; Free surfaces; Incompressible flow; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Navier-Stokes equations; Nonuniform; numerical models; Surf zone; Surface flow; wave propagation; Navier–Stokes equations; flow simulation; wave propagation; numerical models; surf zone
• ISSN: 2166-4250; 0578-5634; 1793-6292
• DOI: 10.1142/S0578563414500090

Nonuniform vertical discretization is investigated for use with a previously developed numerical model that solves the incompressible, nonhydrostatic, Navier-Stokes equations for free surface flow. The equations are vertically transformed to the sigma coordinate system and solved in a fractional step manner in which the pressure is computed implicitly by correcting the hydrostatic flow field to be divergence free. A specific discretization is proposed to attain greater accuracy and/or minimize computational effort when compared to a uniform vertical discretization. Numerical accuracy is assessed by comparison with experimental data for spilling and plunging breakers.