V.R. Ambati

Space-time discontinuous Galerkin discretization of rotating shallow water equations

A space-time discontinuous Galerkin (DG) discretization is presented for the (rotating) shallow water equations over varying topography. We formulate the space-time DG finite element discretization in an efficient and conservative discretization. The HLLC flux is used as numerical flux through the finite element boundaries. When discontinuities are present, we locally apply dissipation around these discontinuities with the help of Krivodonovas discontinuity indicator such that spurious oscillations are suppressed. The non-linear algebraic system resulting from the discretization is solved using a pseudo-time integration with a second-order five-stage Runge-Kutta method. A thorough verification of the space-time DG finite element method is undertaken by comparing numerical and exact solutions. We also carry out a discrete Fourier analysis of the one-dimensional linear rotating shallow water equations to show that the method is unconditionally stable with minimal dispersion and dissipation error. The numerical scheme is validated in a novel way by considering various simulations of bore-vortex interactions in combination with a qualitative analysis of PV generation by non-uniform bores. Finally, the space-time DG method is particularly suited for problems where dynamic grid motion is required. To demonstrate this we simulate waves generated by a wave maker and verify these for low amplitude waves where linear theory is approximately valid.

hpGEM---A software framework for discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods

hpGEM, a novel framework for the implementation of discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods (FEMs), is described. We present data structures and methods that are common for many (discontinuous) FEMs and show how we have implemented the components as an object-oriented framework. This framework facilitates and accelerates the implementation of finite element programs, the assessment of algorithms, and their application to real-world problems. The article documents the status of the framework, exemplifies aspects of its philosophy and design, and demonstrates the feasibility of the approach with several application examples.

On variational and symplectic time integrators for Hamiltonian systems

Various systems in nature have a Hamiltonian structure and therefore accurate time integrators for those systems are of great practical use. In this paper, a finite element method will be explored to derive symplectic time stepping schemes for (non-)autonomous systems in a systematic way. The technique used is a variational discontinuous Galerkin finite element method in time. This approach provides a unified framework to derive known and new symplectic time integrators. An extended analysis for the new time integrators will be provided. The analysis shows that a novel third order time integrator presented in this paper has excellent dispersion properties. These new time stepping schemes are necessary to get accurate and stable simulations of (forced) water waves and other non-autonomous variational systems, which we illustrate in our numerical results.

Hybrid Rossby-shelf modes in a laboratory ocean

Idealized laboratory experiments reveal the existence of forced dissipative hybrid Rossby shelf modes. The laboratory ocean consists of a deeper ocean accommodating basin scale Rossby modes, and a coastal step shelf accommodating trapped shelf modes. Planetary Rossby modes are mimicked in the laboratory via a uniform topographic slope in the North-South direction. Hybrid modes are found as linear modes in numerical calculations and similar streamfunction patterns exist in streak photography of the rotating tank experiments. These numerical calculations are based on depth-averaged potential vorticity dynamics with Ekman forcing and damping. Preliminary nonlinear calculations explore the deficiencies observed between reality and the linear solutions. The aim of the work is twofold: to show that idealized hybrid Rossby shelf modes are at least laboratory reality, and to contribute in a general sense to the discussion on the coupling and energy exchange associated with hybrid modes between shallow coastal seas and deep ocean basins.