On higher-order wave theory for submerged two-dimensional bodies

Abstract

The importance of non-linear free-surface effects on potential flow past two-dimensional submerged bodies is investigated by the use of higher-order perturbation theory. A consistent second-order solution for general body shapes is derived. A comparison between experimental data and theory is presented for the free-surface waves and for the wave resistance of a foil-shaped body. The agreement is good in general for the second-order theory, while the linear theory is shown to be inadequate for predicting the wave drag at the relatively small submergence treated here. It is also shown, by including the third-order freesurface effects, how the solution to the general wave theory breaks down at low speeds.