An efficient domain decomposition strategy for wave loads on surface piercing circular cylinders

A fully nonlinear domain decomposed solver is proposed for efficient computations of wave loads on surface piercing structures in the time domain. A fully nonlinear potential flow solver was combined with a fully nonlinear Navier–Stokes/VOF solver via generalized coupling zones of arbitrary shape. Sensitivity tests of the extent of the inner Navier–Stokes/VOF domain were carried out. Numerical computations of wave loads on surface piercing circular cylinders at intermediate water depths are presented. Four different test cases of increasing complexity were considered; 1) weakly nonlinear regular waves on a sloping bed, 2) phase-focused irregular waves on a flat bed, 3) irregular waves on a sloping bed and 4) multidirectional irregular waves on a sloping bed. For all cases, the free surface elevation and the inline force were successfully compared against experimental measurements.     

Benchmark computations of wave run-up on single cylinder and four cylinders by naoe-FOAM-SJTU solver

The benchmark simulations of wave run-up on a fixed single truncated circular cylinder and four circular cylinders are presented in this paper. Our in-house CFD solver naoe-FOAM-SJTU is adopted which is an unsteady two-phase CFD code based on the open source package OpenFOAM. The Navier-Stokes equations are employed as the governing equations, and the volume of fluid (VOF) method is applied for capturing the free surface. Monochromatic incident waves with the specified wave period and wave height are simulated and wave run-up heights around the cylinder are computed and recorded with numerical virtual wave probes. The relationship between the wave run-up heights and the incident wave parameters are analyzed. The numerical results indicate that the presented naoe-FOAM-SJTU solver can provide accurate predictions for the wave run-up on one fixed cylinder and four cylinders, which has been proved by the comparison of simulated results with experimental data.     

Large eddy simulation of spilling and plunging breakers

A Navier–Stokes solver with a free surface model is used for simulating wave breaking, undertow, and turbulence in breaking waves. The free surface model is based on the Volume of Fluid concept. Turbulence scales larger than the grid scale are simulated directly while turbulence scales smaller than the grid scale are represented by a sub-grid scale model. Two different approaches for the sub-grid scale model have been applied, which are the Smagorinsky model and a model based on a k-equation for the sub-grid scale turbulence. The waves approach the shore in shore-normal direction and break on a plane constant sloping beach. Periodic spilling and plunging breakers are simulated for 20 and 16 wave periods, respectively. The set-up, undertow, and turbulence levels are compared to experimental results. Despite the rather coarse resolution of the computational domain, satisfactory results for the wave height decay and undertow have been obtained. However, the turbulence levels are over-predicted when using the standard values of the model parameters and a complete answer to this problem has not been found. Furthermore, the evolution of vorticity over the wave period has been studied. It shows that at the initial breaking point vorticity is generated around the vertical as well as around the transverse axis. Later vorticity around the longitudinal axis (offshore–onshore direction) is generated, probably through deformation of vorticity around the other axis.     

Interactions between fully nonlinear water waves and cylinder arrays in a wave tank

Fully nonlinear interactions between water waves and vertical cylinder arrays in a numerical tank are studied based on a finite element method (FEM). The three-dimensional (3D) mesh is constructed through an extension of a 2D Delaunay surface grid along the vertical line. The velocity potential is obtained by solving a linear matrix system of FEM, and a difference scheme is then used to calculate the velocity on the free surface to track its movement. Waves and hydrodynamic forces are obtained for both bottom mounted and truncated cylinders. The simulations have provided many results to show the nature of mutual interference between cylinders in arrays and its effects on waves and forces at the nearly trapped mode frequency. The effect of the tank wall on waves and forces has been investigated, and the nonlinear features of waves and forces have also been discussed.     

风机基础TLP平台在波浪中运动性能的CFD数值分析

随着海上风能的开发向深水发展，支撑风机的载体平台越来越受到关注。在经济性与安全性、稳定性的多重要求下，张力腿平台（TLP）在海洋风能资源的开发中体现出了重要地位。采用基于开源平台OpenFOAM开发的计算流体动力学（CFD）水动力学求解器naoe-FOAM-SJTU对一座处于中等水深下的风机基础水下TLP（STLP）的运动响应进行了数值模拟与研究。文中使用弹簧锚链模型模拟STLP的垂向系泊锁链系统，模拟该平台在不同波浪环境下的运动响应情况。首先将STLP单自由度自由衰减CFD模拟结果与已有全耦合时域分析结果进行对比，验证了naoe-FOAM-SJTU求解器及使用弹簧模型模拟STLP系泊系统的准确性与可靠性。随后在考虑非线性波浪载荷的情况下研究极端海况下与一般作业海况下STLP的运动响应情况，计算工况中的风机基础所受弯矩及锚链受力情况，并详细展示流场、速度场信息，分析高阶波浪成分、不同海况等条件对于STLP运动性能的影响。研究结果表明，TLP在中等水深中具有良好的运动性能，naoe-FOAM-SJTU求解器可以有效模拟水中生产平台在波浪环境下的水动力问题，并可以对整个流场进行可视化展示与分析。     

Nonlinear Dynamic Behaviors of A Floating Structure in Focused Waves

Floating structures are commonly seen in coastal and offshore engineering. They are often subjected to extreme waves and, therefore, their nonlinear dynamic behaviors are of great concern. In this paper, an in-house CFD code is developed to investigate the accurate prediction of nonlinear dynamic behaviors of a two-dimensional (2-D) box-shaped floating structure in focused waves. Computations are performed by an enhanced Constrained Interpolation Profile (CIP)-based Cartesian grid model, in which a more accurate VOF (Volume of Fluid) method, the THINC/SW scheme (THINC: tangent of hyperbola for interface capturing; SW: Slope Weighting), is used for interface capturing. A focusing wave theory is used for the focused wave generation. The wave component of constant steepness is chosen. Comparisons between predictions and physical measurements show good agreement including body motions and free surface profiles. Although the overall agreement is good, some discrepancies are observed for impact pressure on the superstructure due to water on deck. The effect of grid resolution on the results is checked. With a fine grid, no obvious improvement is seen in the global body motions and impact pressures due to water on deck. It is concluded that highly nonlinear phenomena, such as distorted free surface, large-amplitude body motions, and violent impact flow, have been predicted successfully.     

Wave diffraction by large offshore structures: an exact second-order theory

An exact second order theory has been formulated in this paper to calculate the wave forces on offshore structures. Lighthill's method for deep water waves has been extended to shallow water waves. Exact expression for linear velocity potential applicable to the circular cylindrical strcutures for shallow water waves have been used in these calculations. These results have been verified with those obtained by direct perturbation technique reported recently by Rahman and Heaps. It is interesting to note that both the methods yield identical results.     

Numerical analysis of the forces exerted on offshore structures by ship waves

Ship-generated waves can contribute to the fatigue of offshore structures. This paper presents a numerical model for evaluating the forces exerted on a nearby fixed structure by ship-generated waves. The ship waves were modeled using Michell's thin-ship theory (Wigley waves), and the forces were computed using a boundary element method in the time domain. The simulation was validated by comparing its results with those of frequency-domain methods reported in the literature. It was then applied to calculate the forces exerted on a hemisphere by ship waves varying with the ship's speed, dimensions and distance from the hemisphere to the ship's path. Our results indicate that the ship waves have enormous effects on offshore structures and are not neglectable.     

A Numerical Investigation of the Reduction of Solitary Wave Runup by A Row of Vertical Slotted Piles

To improve the current understanding of the reduction of tsunami-like solitary wave runup by the pile breakwater on a sloping beach, we developed a 3D numerical wave tank based on the CFD tool OpenFOAM in this study. The Navier Stokes equations were applied to solve the two-phase incompressible flow, combined with an LES model to solve the turbulence and a VOF method to capture the free surface. The adopted model was firstly validated with existing empirical formulas for solitary wave runup on the slope without the pile structure. It is then validated using our new laboratory observations of the free surface elevation, the velocity and the pressure around a row of vertical slotted piles subjected to solitary waves, as well as the wave runup on the slope behind the piles. Subsequently, a set of numerical simulations were implemented to analyze the wave reflection, the wave transmission, and the shoreline runup with various offshore wave heights, offshore water depths, adjacent pile spaces and beach slopes. Finally, an improved empirical equation accounting for the maximum wave runup on the slope was proposed by taking the presence of the pile breakwater into consideration.     

Mean and low frequency wave drifting forces on floating structures

A recently developed method, based on three-dimensional potential theory, to compute the mean wave drifting forces on a free floating structure in regular waves, is extended to include low frequency oscillatory components which arise when the structure is floating in regular wave groups consisting of two regular waves with small difference frequency. This completes the information necessary for the determination of the wave drifting forces under arbitrary irregular wave conditions.In regular wave groups the drifting forces not only depend on the first order velocity potential and the first body motions, but also on the wave exciting forces due to the low frequency part of the second order potential. For the general three-dimensional case the latter contribution can only be determined numerically and at the expense of long computation times. Since this contribution is generally not large compared to components which may be determined using linear potential theory it is included using a simple approximation. Results of the method of approximation are compared with some two-dimensional cases for which exact solutions are known.Results of computations of the total mean and low frequency surge forces on a rectangular barge and a column stabilized semi-submersible platform are presented. For both structures, the computed mean surge drifting forces in regular head waves are compared with results of model tests.The computed components of the total mean drifting forces are presented. It appears that for both the barge and the semi-submersible the same components are of importance.For the semi-submersible, the computed low frequency second order surge forces in head waves are compared with results obtained from a test in irregular head waves using cross-bispectral analysis methods.     

Numerical study of nonlinear freak wave impact underneath a fixed horizontal deck in 2-D space

Freak waves are extreme and unexpected surface waves with huge wave heights that may lead to severe damage to ships and offshore structures. However, few researches have been conducted to investigate the impact underneath fixed horizontal decks caused by freak waves. To study these phenomena, a 2-D numerical wave tank is built in which nonlinear freak waves based on the Peregrine breather solution are generated. As a validation, a regular-wave-induced underneath impact is simulated and compared to the existing experimental measurements. Then the nonlinear freak-wave-induced impact is investigate with different values of deck clearance above the mean free surface. In addition, a comparative simulation of a “large” regular wave based on the 2nd-order Stokes wave theory with the same crest height and wave length of the nonlinear freak wave is carried out to reveal the unique features of the nonlinear freak-wave-induced impact. By applying a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) algorithm in which the bottom deck and front side wall are simplified as Euler beams in 2-D and discretized by the finite element method (FEM), the hydroelastic effects are considered during the impact event. The vertical force acting underneath the bottom deck, the transversal force acting on the front side wall, the structural displacements of the elastic deck and wall are analyzed and discussed respectively, from which meaningful conclusions are drawn.     

Prediction of hydrodynamic loading on a mini TLP with free surface effects

This paper describes the extension of a fluid-flow simulations method to capture the free surface evolution around a full-scale Tension Leg Platform (TLP). The focus is on the prediction of the resulting hydrodynamic loading on the various elements of the TLP in turbulent flow conditions and, in particular, on quantifying the effects of the free surface distortion on this loading. The basic method uses finite-volume techniques to discretize the differential equations governing conservation of mass and momentum in three dimensions. The time-averaged forms of the equations are used, and the effects of turbulence are accounted for by using a two-equation, eddy-viscosity closure. The method is extended here via the incorporation of surface-tracking algorithm on a moving grid to predict the free-surface shape. The algorithm was checked against experimental measurements from two benchmark flows: the flow over a submerged semi-circular cylinder and the flow around a floating parabolic hull. Predictions of forces on a model TLP were then obtained both with and without allowing for the deformation of the free surface. The results suggest that the free surface effects on the hydrodynamic loads are small for the values of Froude number typically encountered in offshore engineering practice.     

Generation and Properties of Freak Waves in A Numerical Wave Tank

Freak waves are generated based on the mechanism of wave focusing in a 2D numerical wave tank. To set up the nonlinear numerical wave tank, the Boundary Element Method is used to solve potential flow equations incorporated with fully nonlinear free surface boundary conditions. The nonlinear properties of freak waves, such as high frequency components and wave profile asymmetry, are discussed. The kinematic data, which can be useful for the evaluation of the wave forces exerted on structures to avoid underestimation of linear predictions, are obtained, and discussed, from the simulated results of freak waves.     

Sediment transport patterns at Trafalgar offshore windfarm

A simple analytical model of wave propagation has been developed in order to study the potential sediment transport patterns due to the action of currents and waves in the neighborhood of cylindrical structures as well inside a group of these structures. The attention is focused on the study of Trafalgar offshore windfarm, a case in which it has been necessary to analyze the flow trough porous structures in order to model fish growing-cages planned to be installed at each aerogenerator structure. The results are obtained by averaging over one period of wave in order to evaluate the net potential sediment transport. The analysis of the results reveals how the processes of wave diffraction and reflection give rise to periodic patterns of sediment transport around and between the structures.     

Wave run-up on a fixed surface-piercing square column using multi-layer barrier

Steep or breaking waves may produce critical run-ups on a surface-piercing column, as represented by an unexpectedly high uprush, which has the potential of generating damaging localised wave-in-deck loads. Hence, to improve the air gap performance of offshore column-stabilised platforms, this paper proposes the mounting of an innovative multi-layer barrier on the column surface at a certain distance below the lower deck. Experiments were performed using a truncated square column to examine the performances of different versions of the barrier, namely, solid-plate, porous-plate, and intermittent-plate types, under four different focused waves. All the barrier types were found to obstruct and deflect uprush flow under storm conditions. However, the solid-plate type tended to experience considerable wave forces, with its impermeability also rendering the higher layers ineffective. The intermittent-plate type dissipated the uprush flow and decreased the wave impact, although it exhibited relatively strong flow disengaging, which decreased the efficiency under large wave run-ups. Conversely, the porous-plate type exhibited adequate performance, with a larger plate porosity and moderately high mounting elevation tending to improve the uprush obstruction performance and further decrease the wave slamming loads. A barrier with an appropriately designed plate porosity, number of layers, and mount elevation is expected to perform efficiently under severe sea states, providing protection for the lower deck against extreme wave run-ups.     

Numerical Modeling of Sea Waves

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The paper describes characteristics of numerical models of surface waves based on full equations for the flow with free surface in potential...     

Drift velocity at the wave breaking point

Wave-tank studies were conducted on the measurement of the drift velocity at the breaking point under different types of breaking waves on a rigid, plane beach. The drift velocity has onshore direction near the surface and close to the bottom; in the main flow column, the drift velocity is always offshore. The offshore drift velocity shows a more uniform vertical distribution than that in the offshore region. The experimental data are compared with theoretical values of three different second-order constant-depth wave theories. Comparisons with data from other sources are also made.     

Spectral Analysis of Nonlinear Drag Forces

The spectral properties of nonlinear drag forces of random waves on vertical circular cylinders are analyzed in this paper by means of nonlinear spectral analysis. The analysis provides basic parameters for estimation of the characteristic drag forces. Numerical computation is also performed for the investigation of the effects of nonlinearity of the drag forces.The results indicate that the wave drag forces calculated by linear wave theory are larger than those calculated by the third order Stokes wave theory for given waves. The difference between them increases with wave height. The wave drag forces calculated by use of hnear approximation are about 5% smaller than their actual values when measured in the peak values of spectral densities. This will result in a safety problem for the design of offshore structures. Therefore, the nonlinear effect of wave drag forces should be taken into comidemtion in design and application of important offshore structures.     

Characteristics of breaking irregular wave forces on a monopile

The substructures of offshore wind turbines are subjected to extreme breaking irregular wave forces. The present study is focused on investigating breaking irregular wave forces on a monopile using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based numerical model. The breaking irregular wave forces on a monopile mounted on a slope are investigated with a numerical wave tank. The experimental and numerical irregular free surface elevations are compared in the frequency-domain for the different locations in the vicinity of the cylinder. A numerical analysis is performed for different wave steepness cases to understand the influence of wave steepness on the breaking irregular wave loads. The wave height transformation and energy level evolution during the wave shoaling and wave breaking processes is investigated. The higher-frequency components generated during the wave breaking process are observed to play a significant role in initiating the secondary force peaks. The free surface elevation skewness and spectral bandwidth during the wave transformation process are analysed and an investigation is performed to establish a correlation of these parameters with the breaking irregular wave forces. The role of the horizontal wave-induced water particle velocity at the free surface and free surface pressure in determining the breaking wave loads is highlighted. The higher-frequency components in the velocity and pressure spectrum are observed to be significant in influencing the secondary peaks in the breaking wave force spectrum.