Numerical modeling of wave propagation into a harbor using improved characteristic scheme

The method of characteristics has been widely used for solving free surface flows in X-T and X-Y-T spaces. Applications of the method to simulate tidal waves, landslide generated waves, and tsunamis indicate that the method is reliable for solving long wave propagation and its related problems. Many other researches indicated that the method is also capable of simulating more challenging problems of relatively short wave propagation into a harbor. Lately an interpolation scheme was developed and tested for simulating wave oscillation and propagation. The technique was shown to be better than the previous characteristic schemes. In this paper, the method is applied for simulating wave propagation in a harbor where the numerical scheme has to deal with wave reflection, refraction and diffraction. Maximum wave heights inside and outside the harbor basin were recorded. Simulation of wave propagation into the same harbor (basin) using commercial software (Surface Water Modeling System, CG Wave Module) is used for comparison. The comparison indicates that the improved characteristic scheme is a good tool for simulating wave propagation into harbor basins.