• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.265-276
• /
• 1995

In this Paper, the Performance of the convolution method has been investigated as an effort to develop a simple system of predicting wind-driven surface current on a real time basis. In this approach wind stress is assumed to be spatially uniform and the effect of atmospheric pressure is neglected. The discrete convolution weights are determined in advance at each point using a linear three-dimensional Galerkin model with linear shape functions(Galerkin-FEM model). Four directions of wind stress(e.g. NE, SW, NW, SE) with unit magnitude are imposed in the model calculation for the construction of data base for convolution weights. Given the time history of wind stress, it is then possible to predict with-driven currents promptly using the convolution product of finite length. An unsteady wind stress of arbitrary form can be approximated by a series of wind pulses with magnitude of 6 hour averaged value. A total of 12 pulses are involved in the convolution product To examine the accuracy of the convolution method a series of numerical experiments has been carried out in the idealized basin representing the scale of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. The wind stress imposed varies sinusoidally in time. It was found that the predicted surface currents and elevation fields were in good agreement with the results computed by the direct integration of the Galerkin model. A model with grid 1/8$^{\circ}$ in latitude, l/6$^{\circ}$ in longitude was established which covers the entire region of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. The numerical prediction in terms of the convolution product has been carried out with particular attention on the formation of upwind flow in the middle of the Yellow Sea by northerly wind.