Deep water focused breaking wave loads on a fixed cylinder

This paper presents new results regarding numerical simulations of breaking wave impacts on a surface-piercing cylinder. The computational fluid dynamics solver, code_saturne, using the volume of fluid approach, is presented and used for offshore hydrodynamics. Phase-focused waves are generated to recreate singular breaking events under relatively controlled conditions. The numerical results compare favourably with a recent experimental campaign for the same conditions, although there is better agreement over the force impulse than the maximum force. The fluid shape and kinematics are described during the breaking process and the load produced by a plunging breaker on a rigid cylinder is investigated.

Automated summary

This paper presents new results on numerical simulations of breaking wave impacts on a surface-piercing cylinder. The computational fluid dynamics solver code_saturne, using the volume of fluid approach, is used for offshore hydrodynamics. The numerical results are compared with experimental data and show good agreement in terms of force impulse but need improvement in maximum force. The study describes the fluid shape and kinematics during the breaking process and investigates the load produced by a plunging breaker on a rigid cylinder.