A 3-D model for irregular wave propagation over partly vegetated waters

• A 3-D numerical model for irregular wave through vegetated waters is established.
• Multi-directional irregular wave is used in the incident boundary.
• Test results(current, uni- and multi-directional wave) agree well with experiments.
• Uni- and multi-directional wave through partly vegetated water are simulated.
• Multi-directional waves exhibits different characteristics with unidirectional wave.

A 3-D model for irregular wave propagation over partly vegetated waters is established using the Navier–Stokes equations with the RNG k–ε turbulence model and VOF method to capture the free surface. The model is based on FLUENT and utilizes User-Defined Functions (UDF). The applicability of the proposed model is assessed thoroughly by test cases of open channel flow through vegetation, flow in a partly vegetated open channel, uni-directional irregular wave propagation over waters with vegetation and multi-directional irregular wave refraction and diffraction over an elliptic shoal. The computed results agree well with the experimental data. Finally, the case of multi-directional irregular wave propagation over partly vegetated waters is simulated to show the effect of a vegetated zone on the wave characteristics.