Application of a finite element model to the computation of tides in the Mersey Estuary and Eastern Irish Sea

Jones, J. Eric; Davies, Alan M.. 2010 Application of a finite element model to the computation of tides in the Mersey Estuary and Eastern Irish Sea. Continental Shelf Research, 30 (5). 491-514. 10.1016/j.csr.2010.01.003

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Abstract/Summary

A variable mesh finite element model of the Irish and Celtic Sea regions with/without the inclusion of the Mersey estuary is used to examine the influence of grid resolution and the Mersey upon the higher harmonics of the tide in the region. Comparisons are made with observations and published results from finite difference models of the area. Although including a high resolution representation of the Mersey had little effect upon computed tides in the western Irish Sea it had a significant effect upon tidal currents in the eastern Irish Sea. In addition the higher harmonics of the M-2 tide in near-shore regions of the eastern Irish Sea particularly the Solway and Mersey estuary together with Morecambe Bay showed significant small scale variability. The Mersey was used to test the sensitivity to including estuaries because high resolution accurate topography was available. The results presented here suggest that comparable detailed topographic data sets are required in all estuaries and near-shore regions. In addition comparisons clearly show the need for an unstructured grid model of the region that can include all the estuaries. Such an unstructured grid solution was developed here within a finite element approach, although other methods in particular the finite volume, or coordinate transformations/curvilinear grids and nesting could be applied. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.csr.2010.01.003
ISSN:	0278-4343
Additional Keywords:	FINITE ELEMENT MODEL; TIDAL HARMONICS; IRISH SEA; MERSEY ESTUARY; CONTINENTAL SHELF; SEASONAL MEAN CIRCULATION; SEMI ENCLOSED BASIN; JAN DE FUCA STRAIT; 3-D MODEL; TIDAL MODELS; CLIMATOLOGY; HARMONIC ANALYSIS; BOTTOM FRICTION; HIGH RESOLUTION MODELS; MODELLING
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences
Date made live:	21 Jun 2011 13:35 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13934

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