Waves and structure interaction using multi-domain couplings for Navier-Stokes solvers in OpenFOAM®. Part II: Validation and application to complex cases

In this work, we present several applications of the 2D-3D multi-domain couplings for Navier-Stokes models developed and validated in its companion (Di Paolo et al., submitted). The methodology is used to carry out some relevant simulations which include long regular and irregular waves, solitary wave propagation on a shallow foreshore, focused wave group transformation on a planar beach, wave impact on a cylinder and finally, the numerical twin of a complex laboratory experiment to analyse the performance of a perforated breakwater under wave action. Results agree well with the full 3D simulations and laboratory experiments and demonstrate the feasibility of using the 2D-3D coupled methodologies presented in Part I to successfully replace full 3D modelling. For all the cases considered, the application of coupled methodologies have resulted in a drastic reducing of the computational time without decreasing the accuracy of the full solution

CFD simulation of a novel anaerobic-anoxic reactor for biological nutrient removal: model construction, validation and hydrodynamic analysis based on OpenFOAM®

AnoxAn is a novel multi-environment reactor for biological nutrient removal (BNR) from wastewater. Although its biological efficacy has been demonstrated on a pilot scale, hydrodynamics is observed to significantly affect the performance of AnoxAn. To study its complex hydraulic behaviour, a model based on Computational Fluid Dynamics 3D (CFD) is constructed using the OpenFOAM® open source toolbox and validated by experimental tests of Residence Time Distribution (RTD). Reactor elements represent a key factor in the modelling process. In this sense, the impeller of the anoxic zone is modelled as a flat disk, and the baffle after the anoxic zone as a porous media. According to CFD model simulations, stagnant, short-circuit zones and mixing quality are established and quantified. Finally, the influence on the hydrodynamics of reactor elements is also evaluated. The results of this detailed hydrodynamic analysis will form the basis for the design and optimization of scalable AnoxAn configurations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Experimental and numerical simulations of oblique extreme wave conditions in front of a breakwater's trunk and round head

ABSTARCT: Climate change studies already reported sea level rise as an accepted scenario, which induces changes in nearshore wave conditions. A large range of new experiences including water level, run-up, overtopping, hydrodynamic data for different wave steepnesses and directions was performed in the Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH) wave basin for a rubble mound breakwater with a slope of 1(V):2(H). This work presents, focusing on oblique extreme wave conditions, numerical simulations of the hydrodynamics in that experiment using OpenFOAM®. Results of the wave generation boundary conditions and their propagation, namely elevation of the water level free-surface and velocity data at specific locations are compared and discussed with data from experimental measurements acquired by acoustic wave gauges and acoustic doppler velocimeter (ADV) / Vectrino equipment. Although an exact match between numerical and laboratory values was not reached, an appropriate incident wave angle and a reasonable amplitude of velocities and water depths was achieved and the same happened to the statistics of those values

Forces induced on a vertical breakwater by incident oblique waves

Over the last years Navier-Stokes numerical models have been developed to accurately simulate wave interaction with all kinds of coastal structures, focusing on both functionality and stability of coastal structures. Although several models have been used to simulate wave interaction with coastal structures in two dimensions (2DV) there are a vast number of three-dimensional effects that need to be investigated in order to improve the design. In this paper a new model called IH-FOAM has been applied to study a vertical breakwater at prototype scale. As a first attempt of validation, the model has been used to simulate a regular wave train generated with a relative angle with the breakwater inducing three-dimensional wave patterns not only seaward the structure due to reflection but also generating an overtopping discharge variation along the breakwater trunk. Pressure laws and overtopping discharge at three different cross-sections along the structure have been studied. The pressure laws have been compared with classical Goda’s formulation. Although, the numerical model predictions are in accordance with Goda’s calculations, a clear three-dimensional variability of wave-induced pressure has been observed. Moreover, an additional study has been performed calculating pressure laws on the side-wall at the breakwater head. Large three-dimensional effects are detected from the simulations due to the flow separation at that area. Overtopping model predictions have been compared with Overtopping Manual calculations showing very close values along the trunk. However, lower overtopping discharge values are observed at the breakwater head. This paper is a preliminary work to show the range of applicability of a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes model to study wave interaction with a vertical breakwater under the action of an oblique wave train

Tsunamis Generated by Submerged Landslides: Numerical Analysis of the Near-Field Wave Characteristics

ABSTRACT: The accurate modeling of the landslide?generated tsunami characteristics in the so-called near-field is crucial for many practical applications. In this paper, we present a new full-3-D numerical method for modeling tsunamis generated by rigid and impermeable landslides in OpenFOAM® based on the overset mesh technique. The approach has been successfully validated through the numerical reproduction of past experiments for landslide?generated tsunamis triggered by a rigid and impermeable wedge at a sloping coast. The method has been applied to perform a detailed numerical study of the near-field wave features induced by submerged landslides. A parametric analysis has been carried out to explore the importance of the landslide's initial acceleration, directly related to the landslide-triggering mechanisms, on the tsunami generation process and on the related wave properties. Near-field analysis of the numerical results confirms that the influence of the initial acceleration on the tsunami wave properties is significant, affecting wave height, wave period, and wave celerity. Furthermore, it is found that the tsunami generation mechanism experiences a saturation effect for increasing landslide's initial acceleration, confirming and extending previous studies. Moreover, the resulting extended database, composed of previous experimental data and new numerical ones, spanning a wider range of governing parameters, has been represented in the form of a “nondimensional wavemaker curve,” and a new relationship for predicting the wave properties in the near-field as a function of the Hammack number is proposed

Numerical Modelling of Landslide-Generated Tsunamis with OpenFOAM®: a New Approach

In this paper we present a new method for numerically modelling landslide-generated tsunamis in OpenFOAM® by using a new approach based on the Overset mesh technique. This technique, which is based on the use of two (or more) numerical domains, is new in the coastal engineering field and appears to be extremely powerful to model the interaction between a moving body and one or more fluids. Indeed, the accurate resolution around the moving body (i.e. body-fitted approach), guaranteed by this method, offers a great advantage to study the momentum exchange between the body and the water. Furthermore, in order to overcome a drawback of the Overset mesh implementation we modelled the solid boundaries, along which the landslide body moves, as a porous media with a very low permeability. The new approach has been preliminarily, and successfully, validated through the numerical reproduction of past experiments for landslide-generated tsunamis triggered by a solid and impermeable wedge at a sloping coast

A New Methodology to Simulate Three-Dimensional Hydraulic Loads on a Vertical Breakwater along its Life Cycle

This work has been part of the research project DOVICAIM (RTC-2014-3077-4), which was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) within the National Program for Research Aimed at the Challenges of Society

Modelado numérico de la interacción Fluido-Sedimento con fondo variable mediante CFD. Aplicación a la morfodinámica costera.

Este proyecto de investigación está financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia, Investigación y Unniversidades de España a través de una beca FPU concedida al primer autor