A terrain following crystal grid finite volume ocean circulation model

Abstract

A three dimensional hydrostatic finite volume ocean model has been developed to solve the integral dynamical equations. Since the basic (integral) equations are solved for finite volumes rather than grid points, the flux conservation is easily enforced, even on arbitrary meshes. Both upwind and high-order combined compact schemes can be incorporated into the model to increase computational stability and accuracy. This model uses a highly distorted grid system near the boundary. The lateral boundaries of each finite volume are perpendicular to x and y axes and the two vertical boundaries are not purely horizontal. Four types of finite volumes are designed to follow the terrain with four (Type-A), three (Type-B), two (Type-C), and one (Type-D) vertices in the lower surface. Such a terrain-following grid discretization has superior features to z- and σ-coordinate systems. The accuracy of this model was tested.