The simulation of dam-break flows by an improved predictor-corrector TVD scheme

This paper reports a finite difference predictor-corrector TVD (total varia tion diminishing) scheme for the computation of unsteady one-dimensional da m-break flows. The algorithm modified the widely used MacCormack scheme by implementing a conservative dissipation step to avoid any unphysical oscill ation in the vicinity of strong gradients in the numerical solution. A gene ral treatment for satisfying the entropy inequality condition is incorporat ed. The accuracy and robustness of the numerical scheme are verified with a n analytic solution and experimental data. Furthermore, a sensitivity study is carried out to investigate the accuracy of four different versions of t he predictor-corrector schemes. It is found that the numerical scheme will have less computational error and higher efficiency when the direction of t he predictor-corrector step is the same as the direction of the shock wave propagation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.