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Mathematical Models for Coastal Areas and Estuaries

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To understand processes in coastal seas as well as estuaries, basic knowledge of (classical) physics is a prerequisite. Also for this field of work the phrase What I can not create I do not understand, which is assigned to R. P. Feynman, is certainly true. A lot of information about the basic principles can be found e.g. in The Feynman Lectures on Physics.

The natural behaviour of coastal seas and estuaries along the german North Sea as well as Baltic Sea coast is dominated by various phenomena. A comprehensive overview with respect to coastal as well as estuarine processes is presented in the Coastal Wiki. Among these are also more detailed informations concerning estuarine circulation.

Simplified schematic representation (available in PDF-format, 47k) of many important physical processes in estuaries. This graphical representation is available in Encapsulated PostScript (colour) format (105k) and Encapsulated PostScript (black and white) format (105k).

The relevant processes can be normally described using conceptual models written in the form of ordinary or partial differential equations. These equations are exact from a scientific point of view. On the other hand side they are only very simplified models compared to the complexity of the natural system under investigation.

The interested reader may find further information under the following link. The documents are provided by the University of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and are only in German available.


This page contains a comprehensive list which shows all the mathematical models currently used at the BAW-DH.

Hydrodynamics (water level elevation and current)

Salinity Transport

  • DELFT3D : integrated modelling system Delft3D
  • TRIM-2D : two-dimensional (depth averaged) finite difference model
  • TELEMAC-2D : two-dimensional (depth averaged) finite element model
  • TRIM-3D : three-dimensional finite difference model
  • UNTRIM : two-/and three-dimensional finite difference method for unstructured orthogonal grids
  • UNTRIM2 : similar to UNTRIM, but with sub grid technology for discretisation of bathymetry

Sediment Transport

  • DELFT3D : integrated modelling system Delft3D
  • TELEMAC-2D : two-dimensional (depth averaged) finite element model
  • TRIM-2D : two-dimensional (depth averaged) finite difference model
  • UNTRIM : two-/and three-dimensional finite difference method for unstructured orthogonal grids
  • SEDIMORPH : morphodynamic model which simulates the physical processes in the soil under surface waters

Heat Transport

  • DELFT3D : integrated modelling system Delft3D
  • UNTRIM : two-/and three-dimensional finite difference method for unstructured orthogonal grids
  • UNTRIM2 : similar to UNTRIM, but with sub grid technology for discretisation of bathymetry

Particle Movement

  • DELFT3D : integrated modelling system Delft3D
  • PARTRACE : particle tracking method for 2D-depth-averaged flowfields

Waves

  • DELFT3D : integrated modelling system Delft3D
  • SWAN : third-generation spectral wave model (developed at Delft University of Technology)
  • K-MODEL : a spectral wave model for unstructured orthogonal grids, based on GKSS's k-model
  • WARM : two-dimensional finite element model which calculates the spectral energy distribution of waves

back to Simulation Methods

Overview

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