Efficient Wave Modeling Using Nonhydrostatic Pressure Distribution and Free Surface Tracking on Fixed Grids

Abstract

For the estimation of wave loads on offshore structures, relevant extreme wave events need to be identified. In order to achieve this, long-term wave simulations of relatively large scales need to be performed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based numerical wave tanks with an interface capturing two-phase flow approach typically require too large computational resources. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) nonhydrostatic wave model is presented, which solves the Navier–Stokes equations and employs an interface tracking method based on the continuity of the horizontal velocities along the vertical water column. With this approach, relatively fewer cells are needed in the vicinity of the air–water interface compared to CFD-based numerical wave tanks. The numerical model solves the governing equations on a rectilinear grid, which allows for the employment of high-order finite differences. The capabilities of the new wave model are presented by comparing the wave propagation in the tank with the CFD approach in a two-dimensional (2D) simulation. Further, a 3D simulation is carried out to determine the wave forces on a vertical cylinder. The calculated wave forces using the new approach are compared to those obtained using the CFD approach and experimental data. It is seen that the new approach provides a similar accuracy to that from the CFD approach while providing a large reduction in the time taken for the simulation. The gain is calculated to be about 4.5 for the 2D simulation and about 7.1 for the 3D simulation.