Abstract
Experimental wave generation in channels is usually achieved through wavemakers (moving paddles) acting on the surface of the water. Although practical for engineering purposes, wavemakers have issues: they perform poorly in the generation of long waves and create evanescent waves in their vicinity. In this article, we introduce a framework for wave generation through the action of an underwater multipoint mechanism: the pedal-wavemaking method. Our multipoint action makes each point of the bottom move with a prescribed pedalling-like motion. We analyse the linear response of waves in a uniform channel in terms of the wavelength of the bottom action. The framework naturally solves the problem of the performance for long waves and replaces evanescent waves by a thin boundary layer at the bottom of the channel. We also show that proper synchronisation of the orbital motion on the bottom can produce waves that mimic deep water waves. This last feature has been proved to be useful to study fluid–structure interaction in simulations based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics.
Highlights
The engineering of surface gravity waves in water channels is a challenging problem in both numerical and experimental setups
Implementing an efficient source model that is a realistic representation of a natural wave source is a relevant issue. Another example of the importance of realistic and efficient wave sources comes from the field of fluid–structure interaction [4,5] in experimental and numerical tests of ships and structures interacting with regular waves in the sea [6]
It is important to remark that the observed decay can be due to the physical viscosity, and to nonphysical energy losses at each of the many numerical smoothing calculations performed as the wave propagates through the tank [39]
Summary
The engineering of surface gravity waves in water channels is a challenging problem in both numerical and experimental setups. The importance of the controlled and efficient generation of waves with prescribed amplitude and phase lies in the fundamental research on wave propagation and wave instabilities [1,2], and in practical applications in hydraulics. Implementing an efficient source model that is a realistic representation of a natural wave source is a relevant issue. Another example of the importance of realistic and efficient wave sources comes from the field of fluid–structure interaction [4,5] in experimental and numerical tests of ships and structures interacting with regular waves in the sea [6]. The characterisation of mechanical fatigue in the hull of a ship subjected to multiple collisions with waves is fundamental to design norms and to develop new technologies in shipbuilding [7,8]
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