Nonlinear wave structure interaction using finite element method based on spring analogy techniques

The simulation of interaction of nonlinear waves with structures has been investigated by several investigators adopting Boundary element Method (BEM) and Finite Element Method (FEM). In handling complex geometries using FEM, simulation with unstructured mesh is required. The two options that are available in handling unstructured mesh are: regenerating the mesh for each time step, requiring a higher computational cost and the mesh moving procedure widely used in solid mechanics. In this paper, the application of two different spring analogies (Vertex and Segment methods) on the simulation of nonlinear free surface waves and its interaction with a submerged structure is reported. The numerical method has been extended to generate solitary waves, the results of which have been compared with laboratory tests that include the wave kinematics using PIV measurements. Copyright © 2009 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).