Open boundary conditions for a numerical shelf sea model (Q1346510)

The paper deals with the barotropic numerical shelf sea model (IAP model) of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The effects of wind stress on the sea-surface elevation and the current region over a shelf sea area are investigated. Authors point out that, in contrast to other models of this kind, the IAP model has two unique features: \((a)\) variable substitution is introduced into the governing equations, which puts the energy equation into a compact form; \((b)\) the difference scheme designed preserves the properties of mass and energy conservation of original coastal flows involving open sea boundaries. For computing economy, a splitting is adoped in the IAP model, dividing the governing equations into three stages: adjustment, development, and forcing-dissipation. Application of the splitting method requires open boundary conditions (OBCs) to be also split correspondingly. The proposed OBCs are validated by two test cases: \((a)\) an experiment with a fluid contained within an infinitely long channel, where the OBCs are applied at two cross sections along it; \((b)\) the steady response of an open sea to stationary cyclone.