Wave forces by numerical simulation

Abstract

A numerical technique is presented which determines accurately and efficiently the forces on submerged structures due to surface gravity waves. The variation of the total forces and the pressure distribution on a rectangular and a semi-circular structure are obtained as functions of the wave position. The numerical technique used is based on an algorithm, developed by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, and known as SOLA-SURF. This code uses an Eulerian finite-difference formulation, with pressure and velocity as the primary variables to solve the full Navier-Stokes equations for an incompressible fluid. The SOLA-SURF code is modified and used for studying the transient as well as the steady state fluid-structure interaction problem. Changes in the SOLA-SURF code involve the use of a realistic value for viscosity and improved field and structure boundary conditions. The application of boundary conditions to a circular structure is presented in detail. ...