Numerical simulations of highly nonlinear steady and unsteady free surface flows

A numerical simulation model based on an open source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package-Open Field Operation and Manipulation (OpenFOAM) has been developed to study highly nonlinear steady and unsteady free surface flows. A two-fluid formulation is used in this model and the free surface is captured using the classical Volume Of Fluid (VOF) method. The incompressible Euler/Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a finite volume method on unstructured polyhedral cells. Both steady and unsteady free surface flows are simulated, which include: (1) a submerged NACA0012 2-D hydrofoil moving at a constant speed, (2) the Wigley hull moving at a constant speed, (3) numerical wave tank, (4) green water overtopping a fixed 2-D deck, (5) green water impact on a fixed 3-D body without or with a vertical wall on the deck. The numerical results obtained have been compared with the experimental measurements and other CFD results, and the agreements are satisfactory. The present numerical model can thus be used to simulate highly nonlinear steady and unsteady free surface flows.