CFD-FEM simulation of water entry of a wedged grillage structure into Stokes waves

Abstract

The fluid-structure interaction problem and the slamming loads on a wedged grillage structure free-falling into 5th order Stokes plane progressive wave under gravity effect is investigated by a partitioned CFD-FEM two-way coupled numerical method. Verification and validation of the CFD-FEM coupled method using calm water entry results of the wedge are first conducted, which indicates that the numerical method is feasible and reliable. Then, the slamming loads and structural stresses on the wedge, considering hydroelasticity effects, are investigated during the entry on Stokes waves for different wedge-wave relative positions and are also compared with calm water results. Moreover, the influence of horizontal and rotation degree-of-freedom motions on the vertical water wave entry results is also investigated. This study provides some insights into the slamming behaviour of ship hull structure impact with sea waves, which is useful for ship hull grillage structure design and strength assessment.