Study of free surface flows using level set method

Level set method is a popular computational technique for interface tracking in multi-fluid flows. It can be used to simulate free surface flows as it allows for efficient and straightforward calculations of geometric properties along the interface and, is capable of handling large topological changes. In this paper a 2D numerical model utilizing level set method to simulate free surface flows in the framework of finite difference method is presented. Unphysical mass loss which is a weakness of this method has been addressed by suggesting an improvement in the reinitialization step. Numerical experiments including oscillating gravity wave, solitary travelling wave and collapse of liquid column have been examined to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. It has been observed that this method is very robust and capable of simulating high density ratios (1:1000). Comparison of the results suggest that good agreement is obtained between present numerical results and published data. Copyright © 2012 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).