Sensitivity studies with the three-dimensional multi-level model for tidal motion

Abstract

A three-dimensional multi-level hydrodynamic model has recently been developed and applied to tidal motion in Singapore's coastal waters. This paper describes a series of numerical experiments to evaluate the sensitivity of the tidal currents and elevations to model parameters. The results show that the predicted tidal elevations are insensitive to three model parameters: horizontal eddy viscosity coefficient (Smagorinsky constant, ch), bottom friction coefficient (cb) and internal friction coefficient (cv), whereas the effects of these parameters are quite different for tidal current velocities. The velocities are slightly reduced with an increase in ch and cb. The bottom friction effects on velocity profiles increase with water depth. The effect of cv might be significant for the tidal velocities at all levels. The velocities at upper layers of the water column decrease with the increase in cv, whereas the velocities at the bottom layer show the reverse trend. The effects of three model parameters on the magnitude and phase of the simulated currents are in the order (from strong to weak) of cv, cb and ch. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.