| Abstract: | A transformation method is presented by which current profiles (of tidal or wind-induced origin) can be extracted at any horizontal position and moment in time from a vertically integrated, two-dimensional, hydrodynamic numerical model. An arbitrary vertical variation of eddy viscosity can be included in the method, which can incorporate a no-slip bottom boundary condition. The technique assumes that the sea is homogeneous.The method is used to improve the representation of bottom stress within the two-dimensional model, whereby the bottom stress is no longer related simply to the depth-mean current as in the “conventional” two-dimensional, vertically integrated model.Idealized calculations for a range of eddy viscosity profiles, show that elevations, current profiles, and time series of current extracted from this “enhanced” two-dimensional numerical model are in good agreement with currents obtained from a full three-dimensional model. |
