Modeling Three-Dimensional Wind-Induced Flows

A three-dimensional numerical model has been developed to study hydrodynamic circulations produced in coastal zones due to tide and wind action. The model consists of a mixed finite-difference/finite element solution of the simplified fluid momentum and continuity equations. A numerical splitting technique is used to reduce the size of model solution matrices while the finite element approach is used over the flow depth to enable irregular sea beds to be tackled easily. Model errors arising from the numerical method are minimized by the use of a Galerkin weighted-residual procedure. The problems associated with modeling the turbulence closure of the basic momentum equations are also investigated with a simplified form of the model and the need for high levels of closure is demonstrated. The potential use of the three-dimensional model is illustrated by prediction of wind-induced flows in Thessaloniki Bay in the Aegean Sea.