A combined wind wave–tidal model for the Venice lagoon, Italy

Abstract

A numerical model that combines wind waves with tidal fluxes in a tidal basin is presented and validated. The model couples a hydrodynamic finite element module based on the shallow water equations with a finite volume module that accounts for the generation and propagation of wind waves. The wave module solves the wave action conservation on the same triangular mesh used in the hydrodynamic module, thus efficiently reproducing the physical relationships between waves and tide propagation. The combined wind wave–tidal model is applied to the Venice lagoon, Italy. The highly irregular bathymetry of this tidal environment, characterized by deep channels, emergent salt marshes, and extensive tidal flats, suggests the introduction of specific hypotheses that simplify the governing equations with a noteworthy increase in efficiency and robustness of the algorithm. Particular attention is devoted to the dissipation of wave energy at the steep boundaries between channels, tidal flats, and salt marshes. Simulations of wave fields generated under specific wind conditions are presented and discussed. The model results are compared, with good agreement, to field data collected in different stations inside the lagoon of Venice. Finally, evidence of the complementary effect of tidal currents and wind waves on bottom shear stresses is presented using the results of different simulations.