A numerical toolbox for wave-induced seabed response analysis around marine structures in the OpenFOAM® framework

Abstract

An open-source numerical toolbox for modeling the porous seabed interaction with waves and structures is implemented in the finite-volume-method (FVM) based OpenFOAM® framework. The toolbox includes a soil consolidation model, a wave-structure-seabed interaction (WSSI) model, and the liquefaction assessment module. In the present work, one-way coupling algorithm is applied for the WSSI analysis. The coupling effect between different physical domains is achieved by time-varying data mapping via the common boundaries. The consolidation model is governed by the quasi-static Biot's equations and is verified against the theoretical solution for the Terzaghi's classical consolidation test. The anisotropic wave-induced porous seabed response model is governed by the Biot's equations in the partial-dynamic form, i.e. u−p approximation form, to achieve a good efficiency and accuracy. The FVM-based u−p model is validated against the existing experimental data of standing wave-induced seabed response near a vertical wall. The integrated WSSI model is validated against existing experiment of wave-soil-pile interaction with wave data and soil response data. Good agreement is obtained. Two case studies are performed using the present numerical toolbox. The first case is an investigation of two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear wave-seabed interaction. The second case is a three-dimensional (3D) parametric study of wave-induced seabed response analysis around gravity-based offshore foundations with various designs. The 3D parametric study follows the sequence of consolidation analysis, WSSI analysis and liquefaction assessment. Two types of liquefaction criteria are implemented and compared in the present study. The toolbox is made publicly available through the foam-extend community.