Introduction 9
The use of the finite differences method is selected for the numerical
solution of the mathematical models presented in the book for the following reasons:
• Its simplicity as a method of numerical analysis facilitates the educational scope of the book.
• The corresponding computer codes for its application are simple and
easily conceived and assimilated by the reader, thus offering a direct
opportunity for modification and extension by the reader.
• The processing power of current computers overshadows the benefits
offered by the finite elements method, for example, in approximating
irregular geometries of solution domains.
• Even today, operational computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes
used worldwide, especially for geophysical flows, are based on the
finite differences method.
The book has been written for senior undergraduate students, graduate
students and professionals working in the area of hydraulics and coastal
engineering. Although a conscious effort has been made to include some
introductory information on the different subjects covered, it is desirable
that the reader has some background knowledge of and exposure to hydrodynamics, wave mechanics, differential equations, numerical analysis and
computer programming using any of the commonly used languages (for
example, MATLAB ® , FORTRAN, C, C++ and BASIC).
There are 30 computer programs coded in MATLAB R2012b readily
available for the reader to use. The programs are written with the novice rather than the expert in mind and special attention is given to maintain a simple code structure even at the expense of the full potential of
MATLAB. Every computer application is followed by five practical problems for the reader to work and become more familiar with the application
and the numerical model. It should also be noted that the code written for
the graphics is suitable for the particular input data used; by changing the
data, a slight modification of the code may be necessary for correct graphical output.
The reader needs to start by creating a MATLAB folder and downloading all of the files with extension .m or .mat into that folder. By opening
MATLAB, all of those files should be visible on the left of the window
within the Current Folder. Double-clicking on any of the MATLAB files
(.m) will open the Script Editor on a new window and the program can be
executed by clicking the Run arrow on top of the Script Editor. While the
program is running, the Command Window in the middle of the MATLAB
window will show progress. At the end of the simulation, the numerical
data are available in the Workspace on the right section of the MATLAB
window.
The use of the finite differences method is selected for the numerical
solution of the mathematical models presented in the book for the following reasons:
• Its simplicity as a method of numerical analysis facilitates the educational scope of the book.
• The corresponding computer codes for its application are simple and
easily conceived and assimilated by the reader, thus offering a direct
opportunity for modification and extension by the reader.
• The processing power of current computers overshadows the benefits
offered by the finite elements method, for example, in approximating
irregular geometries of solution domains.
• Even today, operational computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes
used worldwide, especially for geophysical flows, are based on the
finite differences method.
The book has been written for senior undergraduate students, graduate
students and professionals working in the area of hydraulics and coastal
engineering. Although a conscious effort has been made to include some
introductory information on the different subjects covered, it is desirable
that the reader has some background knowledge of and exposure to hydrodynamics, wave mechanics, differential equations, numerical analysis and
computer programming using any of the commonly used languages (for
example, MATLAB ® , FORTRAN, C, C++ and BASIC).
There are 30 computer programs coded in MATLAB R2012b readily
available for the reader to use. The programs are written with the novice rather than the expert in mind and special attention is given to maintain a simple code structure even at the expense of the full potential of
MATLAB. Every computer application is followed by five practical problems for the reader to work and become more familiar with the application
and the numerical model. It should also be noted that the code written for
the graphics is suitable for the particular input data used; by changing the
data, a slight modification of the code may be necessary for correct graphical output.
The reader needs to start by creating a MATLAB folder and downloading all of the files with extension .m or .mat into that folder. By opening
MATLAB, all of those files should be visible on the left of the window
within the Current Folder. Double-clicking on any of the MATLAB files
(.m) will open the Script Editor on a new window and the program can be
executed by clicking the Run arrow on top of the Script Editor. While the
program is running, the Command Window in the middle of the MATLAB
window will show progress. At the end of the simulation, the numerical
data are available in the Workspace on the right section of the MATLAB
window.