OpenFOAM design sensitivity analysis on a homogeneous low-crested structure with concrete elements seaward of a vertical seawall to reduce overtopping

This study treats a detached homogenous low-crested structure (HLCS) made of Cubipod concrete elements placed seaward of a vertical wall (forming a basin in between) to reduce overtopping. Assessing the complex hydrodynamics and effects of changing the geometry of such a system in relation to overtopping reduction is challenging. The...

Effect of structural elasticity on simulation of wind turbines and its verification: OpenFOAM based CFD simulations of HAWT coupled with FEM analysis based on spinning element

As wind turbines get bigger and bigger, the simulation of wind turbines becomes more complex. The increase in size brings about a multitude of intricate challenges that must be addressed in the simulation process. These challenges lie in the different aspects of the simulations such as aerodynamics, structural dynamics, power electronics,...

Numerical estimation of upward pressure differences over a placed block revetment under wave loading on a dike

Placed block revetments on dikes are used for the protection of the structure against wave loading. The dimensions of the revetment are determined with empirical relations and design tools. The stability of the design solution needs to be checked by physical flume tests to ensure the safety of the structure. However, these tests can be costly...

Numerical modelling of wave overtopping discharges at rubble mound breakwaters using OpenFOAM®

Numerical modelling of wave interaction with rock-armoured rubble mound breakwaters has been performed to study wave overtopping. The influences of the slope angle, a berm in the seaward slope, a protruding crest wall, a recurved parapet, and the wave steepness have been studied using a validated CFD model (OpenFOAM). The numerical modelling...

Climate Adaptation of Rubble Mound Breakwaters: A study to the accuracy of overtopping formulas for combination of solutions

Rubble mound structures are often constructed to prevent severe wave damage to ships. By constructing the crest at a certain level, the waves are reduced such that safety is ensured. However, a large increase in sea level rise is expected in the next century due to climate change. Because of this, multiple adaptations might be necessary to meet...

Homogeneous detached composite breakwater: CFD study of the design sensitivities in the 2D geometrical layout using a detached homogeneous low-crested structure to reduce sea wall overtopping

In this research OpenFOAM is used to model and determine the complex hydrodynamic behaviour of a Homogeneous low-crested structure (HLCS) consisting of cubipod artificial concrete elements. The validated model is used to gain insight in the design sensitivities of a two dimensional cross sectional layout to reduce sea wall overtopping. HLCS and...

Effect of packing height and location of porous media on heat transfer in a cubical cavity: Are extended Darcy simulations sufficient?

We numerically investigate natural convection in a bottom-heated top-cooled cavity, fully and partially filled with adiabatic spheres (with diameter-to-cavity-size ratio d/L=0.2) arranged in a Simple Cubic Packing (SCP) configuration. We study the influence of packing height and location of porous media. We carry out the simulations using...

Numerical simulation of a forced and freely-vibrating cylinder at supercritical Reynolds numbers

Recent innovations in the off-shore wind industry have lead to bigger wind turbines and taller support structures. These towers can suffer from vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). The present work couples the open-source CFD solver OpenFOAM with a structural solver to investigate these fluid-structure interactions (FSI) effects in more detail. 2D...

Fluid Structure Interaction Modelling of Flapping Wings: Development and Validation of a General Open-source Fluid Structure Interaction Method with Analysis of Flexible Flapping Wing Aerodynamics

Flapping wings display complex flows which can be used to generate large lift forces. Flexibility in wings is widely used by natural flyers to increase the aerodynamic performance. The influence of wing flexibility on the flow can be computed using numerical analysis with Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI). However, there is a lack of open-source...

Force characterization for a submerged velocity cap in unsteady flows

Coastal facilities such as desalination plant or a nuclear power plant need a continuous discharge of salty water to carry out their functions. Hereby an intake structure, such as a velocity cap, can be used to take in water from the sea. These intakes are open seafloor founded constructions mounted at a water depth ranging between 10 and 20...

Modeling of periodic non-smooth motion using the harmonic balance method

The company Deepwater Energy BV, Netherlands developed a unique water turbine called as the Oryon Watermill (OWM). It was the aim of the company to obtain an efficient numerical model for the turbine. A numerical model, which serves as a good starting point, has already been developed by Maniyara [1]. This model suffered from certain limitations...

Computation of Nonlinear Wave Loads on Floating Structures

Floating wind turbines (FWTs) are proposed as a method to harness the significant wind energy resource in deep water. International research efforts have led to the development of coupled numerical global analysis tools for FWTs in order to understand their behavior under wind and wave actions. The hydrodynamic models in such tools are typically...

Numerical modelling of bow thrusters at open quay structures

Introduction Bow thrusters are of great help for the navigation at quay walls, but the high and turbulent velocities can result in a bed load exceeding the strength of the bed or bed protection. To be able to design a stable bed the velocities at the bed need to be accurately determined. In design practise the velocities generated by a propeller...

Modelling of Scour Depth at Quay Walls due to Thrusters

Introduction Inland and seagoing vessels are equipped with (bow) thrusters. The use of these thrusters can cause scour of the bed alongside a quay wall. In order to assess the consequences of local scour due to bow thrusters on the design of the structure it is desirable to know the dimensions of the scour holes as a function of in time....

Numerical Investigations of Coherent Structures in Axial Flow in Single Rod-Channel Geometry

In order to ramp up the conversion ratios and burn-up of nuclear reactors, it is inevitable to go to tightly packed fuel rods in the reactor. These nuclear reactors with tightly packed rod-bundles are characterized by interesting flow patterns, different from the ones encountered in regular channel and pipe flows. The correct prediction and...