A comparison of numerical simulations of breaking wave forces on a monopile structure using two different numerical models based on finite difference and finite volume methods. (1st June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jose, Jithin; Choi, Sung-Jin; Giljarhus, Knut Erik Teigen; Gudmestad, Ove Tobias
• Is Part Of: Ocean engineering. Volume 137(2017)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2017-06-01
• Subjects: Finite volume method -- Finite difference method -- Wave breaking -- Secondary loads -- Monopile -- Volume of fluid method; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; Ocean engineering; Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2017.03.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-8018

Abstract

Abstract: The nonlinear forces from breaking waves are a major concern in the design of offshore structures. Due to the complexity of the wave-breaking phenomenon, understanding the interaction of breaking waves with a structure is always a challenging task. The use of numerical models can be a useful tool for studying such a phenomenon. At present, many numerical models are available, using either a Finite Difference Method (FDM) or a Finite Volume Method (FVM), for solving the governing equations. In wave breaking studies, different researchers have come up with reasonable results, using both models. However, there have been few attempts to compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two methods. In the present paper a comparison of both methods applied to breaking wave studies is performed. Two different 3D Navier-Stokes solvers, 2PM3D (FDM) and OpenFOAM (FVM), are used to simulate the breaking wave forces on a monopile structure. Two different scenarios are considered for generating non-breaking and breaking waves, and the results are compared with theoretical results and available experimental measurements. For both numerical models, the breaking wave interactions with the monopile were in good agreement with the experimental measurements. Highlights: Numerical simulation of breaking wave forces on a monopile structure. Simulations are performed using a finite difference and a finite volume model. Ability of both the numerical models to simulate breaking wave interactions with the structure is investigated.