Three-dimensional numerical wave generation with moving boundaries

• A moving wave generation boundary condition is developed for IHFOAM.
• The numerical model is used to replicate multi-paddle wavemakers.
• Comparisons with 2D and 3D wave focusing experiments are shown.
• Active wave absorption has been implemented and shows reflections under 10%.
• Future work lines will be focused on replicating flap, dual flap or mixed type wavemakers.

In this work the numerical model IHFOAM is extended to incorporate moving-boundary wave generation and absorption capabilities. The goal is to obtain a solver that includes free surface flow through porous media, able to replicate the wave generation procedures of physical wave basins. For this purpose a new boundary condition to mimic the action of multi-paddle piston wavemakers is developed and the dynamic mesh capabilities present in OpenFOAM® are enhanced. A set of experiments is carried out in the laboratory and is reproduced numerically to validate the correct operation of the new module. Additional numerical experiments are carried out to test the efficiency of active wave absorption. The results indicate a high degree of accordance between the experimental and numerical results and a correct performance of active wave absorption at the moving boundary.