Comparison of Linear Level I Green-Naghdi Theory with Linear Wave Theory for Prediction of Hydroelastic Responses of VLFS

Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) have drawn considerable attention recently due to their potential significance in the exploitation of ocean resources and in the utilization of ocean space. Efficient and accurate estimation of their hydroelastic responses to waves is very important for the design. Recently, an efficient numerical algorithm was developed by Ertekin and Kim (1999). However, in their analysis, the linear Level I Green-Naghdi (GN) theory is employed to describe fluid dynamics instead of the conventional linear wave (LW) theory of finite water depth. They claimed that this linear level I GN theory provided better predictions of the hydroelastic responses of VLFS than the linear wave theory. In this paper, a detailed derivation is given in the conventional linear wave theory framework with the same quantity as used in the linear level I GN theory framework. This allows a critical comparison between the linear wave theory and the linear level I GN theory. It is found that the linear level I GN theory can be regarded as an approximation to the linear wave theory of finite water depth. The consequences of the differences between these two theories in the predicted hydroelastic responses are studied quantitatively. And it is found that the linear level I GN theory is not superior to the linear wave theory. Finally, various factors affecting the hydroelastic response of VLFS are studied with the implemented algorithm.

Oblique Water Wave Scattering by Bottom Undulation in a Two-layer Fluid Flowing Through a Channel

The problem of oblique wave （internal wave） propagation over a small deformation in a channel flow consisting of two layers was considered. The upper fluid was assumed to be bounded above by a rigid lid, which is an approximation for the free surface, and the lower one was bounded below by an impermeable bottom surface having a small deformation; the channel was unbounded in the horizontal directions. Assuming irrotational motion, the perturbation technique was employed to calculate the first-order corrections of the velocity potential in the two fluids by using Green＇s integral theorem suitably with the introduction of appropriate Green＇s functions. Those functions help in calculating the reflection and transmission coefficients in terms of integrals involving the shape ftmction c（x） representing the bottom deformation. Three-dimensional linear water wave theory was utilized for formulating the relevant boundary value problem. Two special examples of bottom deformation were considered to validate the results. Consideration of a patch of sinusoidal ripples （having the same wave number） shows that the reflection coefficient is an oscillatory function of the ratio of twice the x-component of the wave number to the ripple wave number. When this ratio approaches one, the theory predicts a resonant interaction between the bed and the interface, and the reflection coefficient becomes a multiple of the number of ripples. High reflection of incident wave energy occurs if this number is large. Similar results were observed for a patch of sinusoidal ripples having different wave numbers. It was also observed that for small angles of incidence, the reflected energy is greater compared to other angles of incidence up to π/ 4. These theoretical observations are supported by graphical results.

Diffraction of Oblique Water Waves by Small Uneven Channel-bed in a Two-layer Fluid

Obliquely incident water wave scattering by an uneven channel-bed in the form of a small bottom undulation in a two-layer fluid is investigated within the frame work of three-dimensional linear water wave theory. The upper fluid is assumed to be bounded above by a rigid lid, while the lower one is bounded below by a bottom surface having a small deformation and the channel is unbounded in the horizontal directions. Assuming irrotational motion, perturbation technique is employed to calculate the first-order corrections to the velocity potentials in the two fluids by using Fourier transform approximately, and also to calculate the reflection and transmission coefficients in terms of integrals involving the shape function representing the bottom deformation. Consideration of a patch of sinusoidal ripples shows that the reflection coefficient is an oscillatory function of the ratio of twice the component of the wave number along x-axis and the ripple wave number. When this ratio approaches one, the theory predicts a resonant interaction between the bed and interface, and the reflection coefficient becomes a multiple of the number of ripples. High reflection of incident wave energy occurs if this number is large.

Wave Scattering by a Submerged Sphere in Three-Layer Fluid

Using linear water wave theory,three-dimensional problems concerning the interaction of waves with spherical structures in a fluid which contains a three-layer fluid consisting of a layer of finite depth bounded above by freshwater of finite depth with free surface and below by an infinite layer of water of greater density are considered.In such a situation timeharmonic waves with a given frequency can propagate with three wavenumbers.The sphere is submerged in either of the three layers.Each problem is reduced to an infinite system of linear equations by employing the method of multipoles and the system of equations is solved numerically by standard technique.The hydrodynamic forces(vertical and horizontal forces)are obtained and depicted graphically against the wavenumber.When the density ratio of the upper and middle layer is made to approximately one,curves for vertical and horizontal forces almost coincide with the corresponding curves for the case of a two-layer fluid with a free surface.This means that in the limit,the density ratio of the upper and middle layer goes to approximately one,the solution agrees with the solution for the case of a two-layer fluid with a free surface.