|
This study is part of the Evaluation
of Environmental Quality and Biodiversity
in the Callao's Bay. The purpose
of this work
is to simulate the hydrodynamics
related to circulation patterns,
and distribution of temperature
and salinity. For this, we applied
a numerical model with a non-structured
vertical grid using the sigma coordinate
transformation to match the coast
contour and the bottom line to achieving
greater efficiency in the calculations.
Irregular bottom topography is represented
using the sigma-coordinate transformation,
and the horizontal grids are composed
of unstructured triangular cells.
The model solves the governing equations
in integral form by computing fluxes
between non-overlapping horizontal
triangular control volumes. This
finite-volume approach combines
the best of finite element methods
(FEM) for geometric flexibility
and finite-difference
methods (FDM) for simple discrete
structures and computational efficiency.
This numerical approach also provides
a much
better representation of mass, momentum,
salt, and heat conservation in coastal
and estuarine regions with complex
geometry.
The first step was to define the
modeling domain limits, which is
limited by the coastline and an
open border. Once defined
the modeling domain limits, the
unstructured grid generated verify
that it met the slope criteria,
maximum and minimum
interior angle of each element or
triangle. Compliance with these
criteria ensures that the mesh is
physically stable in terms of its
size and that the model has a good
response to the marine environment
dynamics.
The momentum equations, continuity,
temperature, salinity and density
are solved through the finite volume
method. The model
discretized the integral form of
the equations that govern it. Since
the integral equations can be solved
numerically by calculating flow
through a triangular mesh of arbitrary
size, the finite volume approach
is more appropriate to ensure the
conservation of mass in both the
individual and control element for
the computational domain. The numerical
results show the velocities pattern
of ocean currents in Callao's Bay.
|