F. Platzek, G.S. Stelling, J.A. Jankowski, R. Patzwahl

Abstract. Bottom friction plays an important role in modelling river flows. In three-dimensional (3D) models, the vertical discretization is commonly based on σ-layers or z-layers. In this paper we focus on a well-known problem encountered when applying z-layers: local truncation errors in the computation of bottom shear stress and near-bed turbulence along a sloping bottom as e.g. in the case of 3D river simulations. This problem stems from the ‘staircase’ representation of the bottom and results in difficulties in the computation of morphological changes. Continue reading →