Modeling Density and Turbulence in Stratified Tidal Medium

Abstract

A finite-element model in a two-dimensional vertical plane has been developed to predict the flow, density, and turbulence fields of a stratified tidal medium. An algebraic stress/flux model has been used as turbulence closure. The flow, density, and turbulence fields are coupled explicitly in a three-level, semiimplicit time discretization. Model predictions have been compared with an experimental study performed in the tidal flume of Delft Hydraulics. Both the numerical model and the experimental observations have been used to study some of the basic characteristics of turbulence and turbulent transport mechanisms in a stratified tidal flow.