Finite-Element Computation of Wave-Structure Interaction between Steep Stokes Waves and Vertical Cylinders

Abstract

The diffraction of highly nonlinear Stokes waves by vertical cylinders of circular cross section is numerically simulated in the time domain. A finite-element method, based on Hamilton’s principle, is used to discretize the fluid domain. The Stokes waves, input at the numerical wave maker, are obtained numerically from the two-dimensional steady solution of the finite element model. A new matching scheme is developed to match the two-dimensional wave at the far field and the three-dimensional diffracted wave in the near field. The method developed here can easily be extended to the diffraction of irregular, nonlinear waves. Numerical examples are presented for the diffraction of Stokes waves with various steepnesses by single and multiple circular cylinders. The wave elevation and runup on the cylinder are calculated and compared with the available theoretical and experimental results.