Surface Gravity Wave Generation and Interference Effects in SPH Models

Abstract

DualSPHysics is an open-source implementation of the SPH (smoothed-particle hydrodynamics) particle mechanics model built for applications in coastal and ocean engineering, suitable for cases possessing complex surface boundary conditions and interactions of fluids with bound objects. This work seeks to examine the general plausibility of utilization of DualSPHysics for modeling cases involving the diffraction and interference effects of surface gravity waves. The work attempts to seek optimized parameters for wave generation intended to be used in diffraction and interference cases at lower simulation resolutions by taking advantage of simulation parameters such as gravity, construct simple examples to demonstrate the plausibility to use the model with more complex cases (possibly involving diffraction and interference off lattices), and validate wave behaviors (related to gravity) within the model using accepted theories of surface wave propagation. The paper identifies several limitations whose mitigation was deemed necessary for further success applying DualSPHysics to diffraction and interference problems, as well as further analysis and tests needed for a complete assessment of the tested cases.