• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 1996

A three-dimensional Galerkin-FEM model which can handle the temporal and spatial variation of density is presented. The hydrostatic approximation is used and density effects are included by means of conservation equation of heat and the equation of state. The finite difference grids are used in the horizontal plane and a set of linear-shape functions is used for the vertical expansion. The similarity transform is introduced to solve resultant matrix equations. The proposed model was first applied to the density-driven circulation in an idealized basin in the presence of the heat exchange between the air and the sea. The advection terms in the momentum equation were ignored, while the convection terms were retained in the heat equation. Coefficients of the vertical eddy viscosity and diffusivity were fixed to be constant. Calculation in a non-rotating idealized basin shows that the difference in heat capacity with depth gives rise to the horizontal gradient of temperature. Consequently, there is a steady new in the upper layer in the direction of increasing depth with compensatory counter flow .in the lower layer. With Coriolis force, geostrophic flow was predominant due to the balance between the pressure gradient and the Coriolis force. As a test in region of irregular topography, the model is applied to the Yellow Sea. Although the resultant flow was very complex, the character of the flow Showed to be geostrophic on the whole.