Finite element solution of free-surface ship-wave problems

Abstract

An unstructured finite element solver to evaluate the ship-wave problem is presented. The scheme uses a non-structured finite element algorithm for the Euler or Navier–Stokes flow as for the free-surface boundary problem. The incompressible flow equations are solved via a fractional step method whereas the non-linear free-surface equation is solved via a reference surface which allows fixed and moving meshes. A new non-structured stabilized approximation is used to eliminate spurious numerical oscillations of the free surface. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.