A finite element prediction model with variable element sizes
Authors
Kelley, Richard Gordon, Jr.
Subjects
Finite element model
Variable element sizes
Tropical cyclones
Shallow water equations
Periodic channel
Variable element sizes
Tropical cyclones
Shallow water equations
Periodic channel
Advisors
Williams, Roger T.
Date of Issue
1976-09
Date
September 1976
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
There are a variety of meteorological forecast problems which require high spatial resolution in only a limited area. An important example of this type of problem is the prediction of tropical cyclones. This study tests a simple finite element prediction model with a variable element size. The shallow water equations are used and the motion is confined in a periodic channel on a f-plane. The Galerkin technique is applied to linear basis functions on triangular elements. The model uses leapfrog time differencing and periodic restarts. The model is tested with a wave imbedded in a mean flow and also with an isolated vortex. The experiments with a uniform element size show excellent phase propagation, but some small scale noise is generated. The introduction of momentum diffusion terms helps to control the noise. The model is also tested with elements which decrease abruptly in scale along a line with elements which decrease smoothly. Both of these cases generate more noise than with uniform elements.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.