Boundary element analysis of nonlinear water wave problems

Abstract

Abstract A new boundary element technique based on Green's formula is applied to the analysis of nonlinear water wave problems. The problems are formulated mathematically as two‐dimensional nonlinear initial‐boundary value problems in terms of a velocity potential, assuming the fluid to be inviscid and incompressible, and the flow to be irrotational. In the present paper, two kinds of wave‐making problems are analysed: (1) a tsunami generated by sea bed elevation; (2) generation, propagation and run‐up on a vertical wall of a solitary wave. Numerical results obtained by the present method are compared with available experimental data and analytical solutions. Excellent agreements are obtained.