Author(s): Li Mengguo; Cai Dongming; Xu Hongming
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Flow; Salinity; Sediment; Numerical simulation; Threedimension; The Pearl River estuary
Abstract: By using-coordinate transformation technique, a three-dimensional (3-D) tidal flow governing equations, 3-D convection-diffusion equations of salinity and suspended sediment in the () coordinate system are transformed into the equations in the () coordinate system, which are solved discretely by using the finite difference method. The water level is solved with the direction integrated continuity equation, while the vertical structures of the flow velocity, salinity and sediment are solved respectively by the momentum equations, convection-diffusion equations of salinity and suspended sediment, thus, a 3-D mathematical model of flow, salinity and sediment is set up. In the flow model, the mean flow velocity on the vertical can be used as the open boundary conditions. With this model, the flow field, salinity field and sediment field during the dry and flood seasons in the Pearl River estuary are numerically simulated, where the topography and coastal lines are complicated with multiple entrances and many islands. Comparing the results of the simulations to the measured data, they are in fair agreement with each other. On the basis of the simulations, the plane and spatial structural features of the flow field, salinity field and sediment field in the Pearl River estuary are analyzed.
Year: 2001