Subelement Division Scheme in a Numerical Wave Tank that Uses Higher-Order Boundary Element Method

Abstract

In this note, partially discontinuous elements are employed to solve the singular integrals in the simulation of waves in a numerical wave tank. A higher-order boundary element method (HOBEM) is employed in combination with a time-marching method to solve the system of partial differential equations. By using a predictor–corrector time integration scheme, we solve an integral equation at each time step by uncoupling the kinematic and dynamic free-surface conditions. Different progressive wave types are used at the inflow boundary, a special form of the Sommerfeld/Orlanski type open boundary condition is employed at the outflow boundary, and linear regular and irregular waves have been simulated. The results show that the adopted HOBEM, along with the open boundary condition, is accurate and robust, and furthermore, results have been obtained for a nonlinear Stokes wave.