A comparison of the MIKE 3 and PCFLOW3D models for hydrodynamic simulations in the Gulf of Trieste

摘要

A comparison between the hydrodynamic simulations of the models MIKE 3 andudPCFLOW3D in the Gulf of Trieste was performed.udThe model MIKE 3 was developed at the Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI). It is used toudsimulate three-dimensional free-surface flow. At the Chair of Fluid Mechanics a similarudmodel PCFLOW3D is being developed and practically used since 1985. This model is used toudstudy processes in larger water bodies, such as lakes and seas, where the horizontal velocitiesudare larger than vertical for an order of magnitude. The basic characteristics of both models areudpresented in this work.udThe input data and a comparison of the results of some simulations performed in the Gulf ofudTrieste with both models is further shown. Geometry and bathymetry data, temperature andudsalinity conditions in the Gulf of Trieste and at the Soĉa river mouth, wind velocity anduddirection as well as discharge and velocity of the River Soĉa were required for theudsimulations. Realistic seasonal conditions were simulated using different turbulence models.udIn the vicinity of the Soĉa river mouth a comparison of the results was performed also for audrefined numerical grid. The agreement of results was better in winter conditions (bora wind),udwhile simulations of tidal forcing and in summer conditions showed worse agreement of theudresults.udThe results of both models are comparable, despite relatively high discrepancies in some partsudof the modelling domain. Minor differences in numerical schemes and turbulence modelsudoffered by both models and different input of boundary conditions, particularly at the openudboundary and in the inflow cell, were found to be the main reasons of discrepancies.