An efficient semi-implicit finite element scheme for two-dimensional tidal flow computations

Abstract

A semi-implicit finite element scheme is proposed for two-dimensional tidal flow computations. In the scheme, each term of the governing equations, rather than each dependent variable, is expanded in terms of the unknown nodal values and it helps to reduce computer execution time. The friction terms are represented semi-implicitly to improve stability, but this requires no additional computational effort. Test cases where analytic solutions have been obtained for the shallow water equations are employed to test the proposed scheme and the test results show that the scheme is efficient and stable. An numerical experiment is also included to compare the proposed scheme with another finite element scheme employing Serendipity-type Hermitian cubic basis functions. A numerical model of an actual bay is constructed based on the proposed scheme and computed tidal flows bear close resemblance to flows measured in field survey.