TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 1, 1986

A Model for Unidirectional Water Waves

Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 112, Issue 7

Abstract

An explicit finite element model for unidirectional nonlinear dispersive waves is developed and applied to the problems of propagation and interaction of solitary waves. The proposed method uses linear chapeau functions for interpolation and is very simple to formulate and inexpensive to execute compared to most existing models. The model is sufficiently accurate so that the cumulative effect of numerical errors does not affect the results even at very long computation times. A stability and accuracy analysis of the method is presented and the limits of applicability of the method are established both analytically and by means of computational tests. The method is found to be as accurate as the best available methods and even superior in eliminating spurious oscillatory tails often found near computed solitary waves.

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Go to Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 112Issue 7July 1986
Pages: 697 - 717

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Published online: Jul 1, 1986
Published in print: Jul 1986

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Authors

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Nikolaos D. Katopodes, M. ASCE
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Chien‐Tai Wu
Research Engr., Computer Design, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI 49505

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