Numerical modelling of shallow water using an iterative solution algorithm

Abstract

The knowledge of the current patterns and surface elevations of lakes and reservoirs is an essential need for a number of engineering problems such as water quality, flooding, sediment transport and coastal erosion. Furthermore, the design of coastal and offshore structures requires information on currents for the determination of the forces affecting these structures. In this study, a numerical model has been developed for simulating the current patterns in a well-mixed lake. The hydrodynamic simulation is based on solving the shallow-water equations using the Newton-Raphson algorithm. The results have been compared to Leendertse's multi-operational finite difference scheme. Developed model can be used efficiently for long-term current patterns and real-time applications.