Abstract
In order to numerically simulate the wave-current interaction problems frequently encountered by aquaculture structures, a two-dimensional numerical wave-current tank model was established here based on a mass source wave maker coupled with an analytical relaxation wave absorber. The wave-maker model and the wave-absorber model were embedded into a two-dimensional RANS solver, which was closed with RSM turbulence scheme. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was adapted to accurately capture the free surface between water and air. To generate a steady uniform current flow, the uniform current flow velocity was calculated at the left-hand-side (LHS) and right-had-side (RHS) outflow boundaries, respectively. Once the steady uniform current flow was generated over the whole computational domain, the target water wave was marked within a specified region by embedding the mass source function based on wave theory into the mass conservation equation and then propagated on the generated uniform current flow. To verify the accuracy of the numerical wave-current tank established here, some of the obtained numerical results were then compared with the experimental results and the analytical solutions, and they agreed well with each other, indicating that the model developed here has great ability in simulating water waves on uniform currents over constant water depth. The established numerical wave-current tank was then used to study the optimal layout of the mass source region and the effects of water current velocity on water surface wave parameters during regular wave coupling with uniform water currents. Meanwhile, the established model was extended to generate steep wave and apply in deep water conditions. Finally, the proposed methods were applied to investigate the wave-current-structure interaction problems and the propagation of solitary waves traveling with coplanar/counter currents. Model-data comparisons show that the developed model here is potentially useful and efficient for investigating the inevitable wave-current-structure interaction problems in aquaculture technologies.
Highlights
Marine aquaculture, known as aquafarming or fish farming, research and technologies are developing rapidly
In order to ensure the safety of such activities and the corresponding structures, it is important to accurately calculate the ambient flow field when making designs, and for the marine environments the ambient flow field is all the more important as maritime activities take place where the water waves and ocean currents always coexist. e interaction of waves and currents, which can significantly alter the wave parameters and induce wave breaking and scattering, plays an important role in response to floating structures and other aspects related to the development of marine science and technology. e interaction between wave and current, and its effect on marine structures has attracted the attention of ocean and coastal engineers and researchers, and the mechanisms have been extensively investigated in the past
Toffoli and Waseda present two independent sets of physical experiments performed in the experimental wave tank of Plymouth University and the Ocean Engineering Tank of the University of Tokyo, which measure and analyze the flow field properties of rogue waves in an opposite current in detail. ese two independent sets of laboratory experiments confirmed a recent conjecture using a current-modified cubic nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation, which establishes that a stable wave traveling with a counter current may trigger rogue waves [2]
Summary
Marine aquaculture, known as aquafarming or fish farming, research and technologies are developing rapidly. Many physical laboratory experiments have been carried out to examine the wave-current interaction problem and its effect on marine structures. Toffoli and Waseda present two independent sets of physical experiments performed in the experimental wave tank of Plymouth University and the Ocean Engineering Tank of the University of Tokyo, which measure and analyze the flow field properties of rogue waves in an opposite current in detail. Tambroni and Figueiredo da Silva performed a lot of experimental investigations in the Total Environment Simulator (TES) recirculating flume belonging to the University of Hull (UK) for determining the impacts of macroalgal mats of Ulva intestinalis on flow resistance and bed stability considering wave-current interactions when waves and currents coexisted [4]. Tambroni and Figueiredo da Silva performed a lot of experimental investigations in the Total Environment Simulator (TES) recirculating flume belonging to the University of Hull (UK) for determining the impacts of macroalgal mats of Ulva intestinalis on flow resistance and bed stability considering wave-current interactions when waves and currents coexisted [4]. de Jesus Henriques et al experimentally measured and analyzed the resultant effects of the wave-current interactions on the power and thrust performance of a model-scale horizontal marine current turbine by employing the high-speed recirculating water channel at the university of Liverpool [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
