Wave interaction with multiple horizontal cylinders

The interaction of waves with submerged two-dimensional circular cylinder groups is investigated. Linear wave theory is used in the analysis and the viscous effects are neglected. The boundary value problem for the wave potential is based on Green's theorem, and the resulting integral equation is solved numerically. The added mass and damping coefficients in sway, heave and roll of oscillating twin-cylinders and the total wave forces on a fixed cylinder in a group are examined. The effects of the free surface, and particularly, the spacing of the cylinders are shown. The numerical results are tested against known solutions. Results for a two-cylinder configuration at different orientations are presented. It is found that the interaction between closely spaced cylinders is large. The spacings at which the interaction effect is important are shown graphically.