Numerical simulation of wave run-up on three cylinders in an equilateral-triangular arrangement

Abstract

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of wave run-up on three circular cylinders in an equilateral-triangular configuration are performed at different spacing ratios 1.5 ≤ L/D ≤ 4.0 (where L is the center-to-center distance and D is the diameter of cylinder). The mechanism of wave superposition in the vicinity of three cylinders is illustrated, the effects of spacing ratio and wave steepness on the wave run-up ratio and wave force on three cylinders are investigated. The results show that with variation of the spacing ratio, different superposition processes among incident waves, lateral edge waves and scattering waves are observed. It should be noted that under the given condition, the significant amplification of wave height is observed among three cylinders at L/D = 2.0 and 2.5. The spacing ratio has a significant effect on the wave run-up ratio at the cylindrical surface and wave force on each cylinder rather than the wave steepness kA.