Wave Interference Effects by Finite Element Method

Abstract

A numerical procedure is presented for computing wave interference effects on multiple, surface‐piercing rigid structures in an ocean of finite depth by the finite element method (FEM). Viscous effects are neglected and hydrodynamic pressure forces are assumed to be inertially dominated. Within the limits of linear wave theory, a scattered wave potential is numerically computed using radiation boundary dampers. Numerical results are presented for a single vertical cylinder and for multiple vertical circular and square cylinders under varying incident wave angles. Comparisons between the FEM results and results available from both analytical and integral equation numerical methods are good. Estimates of the computational savings in CPU realized by the FEM compared to the integral equation method are provided. The favorable numerical comparisons realized by the FEM using radiation boundary dampers coupled with the computational savings in CPU suggest the application of the FEM to more complicated systems of multiple structures for both rigid and flexible bodies.