Evaluation of numerical diffusion of the finite volume method when modelling surface waves

Abstract

Обсуждается применение метода конечных объемов при решении уравнений Навье-Стокса для моделирования поверхностных волн. Сформулирована задача о распространении поверхностных волн, которая используется для оценки численной диффузии в решении уравнений Навье-Стокса. Предлагается методика оценки численной диффузии, выражаемой коэффициентом уменьшения амплитуды волны при прохождении ею одной своей длины (коэффициентом затухания). Дана оценка размеров сетки и шага по времени, выраженных в безразмерных величинах относительно параметров волны, необходимых для обеспечения приемлемого значения коэффициента затухания. Показана степень влияния каждого из сеточных параметров на увеличение коэффициента затухания. The application of numerical simulation methods based on the solution of the full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for modelling of wave propagation on the water surface requires the construction of a grid model containing countable nodes throughout the entire volume of water medium. Insufficient grid resolution leads to insufficient detailing of the fields of velocity and pressure, as well as volume fraction of the liquid, which increases the numerical diffusion of the method and, ultimately, leads to an underestimation of oscillation amplitudes of the medium. A large time step also results in a “blurring” of the solution and significantly reduces its stability, especially when using the schemes which compress the front of the media interface. This paper presents the results of an assessment of acceptable grid sizes and time steps expressed in dimensionless parameters with respect to the wave parameters necessary to ensure accuracy of the solution sufficient for geophysical applications. The estimate is given for the method of calculating three-dimensional multiphase flows with a free surface based on solving the Navier-Stokes equations in a one-velocity approximation based on a completely implicit connection between velocity and pressure using the finite volume method. The finite volume method for the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is implemented for use on arbitrary unstructured grids. The methodology for estimation of numerical diffusion of the calculation method is proposed. This estimation is expressed as a percentage of the wave amplitude decrease at the distance equal to the one wavelength. In turn the methodology is based on the parameters entered to estimate the acceptable grid sizes and time step for the calculation method. Based on the described methodology, the results of the estimation of the grid resolution in the horizontal and vertical directions, the estimation of the time step, and the evaluation of the influence of the discretization scheme of the convective term are presented.