TRR 181 Seminar "Phase field models in the coupled simulation of atmosphere and ocean"

The TRR 181 seminar is held by Nicolas Scharmacher (Universität Hamburg, PhD in M6) on July 4, 11 am at Universität Hamburg, Bundesstr. 53, room 22/23.

Abstract

The energy transfer from the wind to the ocean surface and the energy dissipation caused by breaking waves accounts for the largest transfer of mechanical energy from the atmosphere to the ocean. However, despite the importance of the processes involved in surface wave generation and breaking, there are still fundamental gaps when it comes to modeling these processes. We hope that the diffuse interface methods developed for the Cahn-Hilliard/Navier-Stokes system will provide an improved method to deal with the current shortcomings of the simulation of the air-water interface. We believe that the method is well suited for that purpose due to its thermodynamic consistency, its mass-conserving property and its ability to handle topological changes, which might occur in breaking waves.

In this talk we will take a look at the numerical analysis and implementation of the model in order to be able to provide numerical simulations of the air-water interface, with focus on the formation of wind-generated surface waves. This requires, for example, the development and implementation of energy-stable time-integration schemes, turbulence modeling, efficient solvers and appropriate ways to incorporate the wind-forcing.