Towards Fully Non-Linear Floating Body Simulations by a Potential Method

A 3-dimensional Rankine source panel method for simulating a rigid floating body in steep waves is being developed. The aim is to obtain the same quality as free-surface RANSE methods, which are well suited for this application, but to require only a small fraction of the computing time needed by RANSE methods. The body may have forward speed or perform maneuvering motions. The exact boundary conditions are satisfied at the actual location of the fluid boundaries. The waves are generated not by a material wave maker, but by an approximate wave potential which needs not satisfy the exact free-surface condition. No wave damping regions are required. Whereas for steep waves without a body the method appears satisfactory, it needs further improvements if a body is present.