Calculation of the added mass matrix of water impact of elastic wedges by the discrete vortex method

The discrete vortex method is used to obtain the added mass matrix of water entry of elastic structures. Based on the Wagner theory, the hydrodynamic loads are evaluated by the “flat-disc” approximation. The structural deformation is described by modal decomposition and the velocity potential of the flow can be decomposed by the principal coordinates. The impacts of a rigid wedge and an elastic plate are first investigated to analytically validate our method in obtaining the added mass matrix. Then the impact of an elastic wedge made up of two beams symmetrically onto the water surface is analyzed. It is shown that the discrete vortex method can be used to obtain the added mass matrix of elastic wedge impact accurately and efficiently.