Finite element tidal current analysis with an open boundary condition

Abstract

A finite element method dealing with an open boundary condition for the analysis of long wave problem is presented. The key feature of the method is that spurious reflective waves which occurred for the initial transient state on the open boundary can be eliminated by introducing a subdomain technique. For the numerical outflow boundary condition, the progressive wave condition, based on the shallow water long wave theory, is successfully employed. This method is quite suitable for practical analysis because of its adaptability for the arbitrary configuration of the open boundary and shape of elements adjacent to the open boundary. This method is numerically verified for flow in a one dimensional channel and the two dimensional tidal current in Tokyo Bay. The numerical results are compared with analytical solutions and observed data obtained by field measurements. These results are all in close agreement.