Author(s): Angel Gabriel Retana; John Alex Mc Corquodale; Ioannis Georgiou

Linked Author(s): Ioannis Georgiou

Keywords: Tidal pass; Exchange flow; Physical model; Lock-exchange test; Internaldensity currents; Model validation

Abstract: Exchange flows in tidal passes such as the Rigolets Pass in the Pontchartrain Estuary, Louisiana, are important in determining the salinity regimes of the estuary. A physical model was built to generate data on exchange flows under different constrictions in a channel connecting two water bodies with different initial salinities. The tests were conducted by constricting the channel to 0,25,50, and 86% of the total width. Speeds of propagation of the saline and fresh water plumes were measured for all cases. The physical model results were used to validate a CFD model, FVCOM which is a 3-D, unstructured, finite-volume, hydrostatic model. FVCOM captured the speed of the primary internal wave and the interfacial wave frequency but did not account for all of the internal energy losses. The hydrostatic version of FVCOM did not simulate the Kelvin-Helmholtz and Holmboe instabilities.

DOI:

Year: 2009