Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction, 8(1), 2021
Interdisciplinary Civil and Construction Engineering Projects
Edited by El Baradei, S., Abodonya, A., Singh, A., and Yazdani, S.
Copyright © 2021 ISEC Press
ISSN: 2644-108X
www.doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.2021.8(1).CEN-01
CEN-01-1
MODELING COMPLEX FLOW INDUCED BY
WATER WAVES PROPAGATION OVER
SUBMERGED SQUARE OBSTACLES
MONA A. TAWAB
1
, TAMER HESHMAT
2
, and ANDREAS SCHLENKHOFF
3
1
Smart Engineering Systems Research Center (SESC), Nile University, Giza, Egypt,
2
Smart Engineering Systems Research Center (SESC), Nile University, Giza, Egypt,
Secondment from Cairo University,
3
Hydraulic Engineering Section, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Bergische
Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
Submerged breakwaters are efficient structures used for shore protection. Many design
features of these structures are captured upon modeling wave propagation over
submerged square obstacles. The presence of separation vortices and large free surface
deformations complicates the problem. A multiphase turbulent numerical model is
developed using ANSYS commercial package. Careful domain discretization is done
employing suitable mesh clustering to capture high gradients. Various numerical
model parameters are provided, including grid size and time step. Special attention is
directed towards clarifying turbulence initial conditions. Stable simulation results are
obtained within acceptable computational time. Numerical results are validated
quantitatively using subsurface measurements. Comparison along continuous
horizontal and vertical velocity profiles is provided. Temporal and spatial model
resolutions are illustrated for three test cases. The effect of wave period and height is
well focused. The unsteady vortical structure is visualized. The incident wave energy
is calculated and validated against theoretical values. The wave energy dissipation
characteristics are briefly explained.
Keywords: CFD, Turbulence, Vortex, Multiphase, Breakwater, PIV.
1 INTRODUCTION
Accurate simulation of breakwaters is crucial to ensure safety during hostile sea conditions.
Towards this goal modeling water waves possess the utmost importance (Goda 2000).
Specifically, submerged breakwaters provide considerable shore protection while providing a
clear sea view (Johnson et al. 2005). Analysis of wave propagation over submerged obstacles
captures many features of real submerged breakwaters. However, two main challenges of the
problem are: separation vortices, and strong free surface deformation. Both phenomena occur
near relatively large-sized obstacles (Kasem et al. 2010). Accurate modeling of the turbulent
rotational flow field is necessary to quantify wave energy dissipation.
Hence, turbulent, and multiphase models are needed to capture the problem physics.
Developing these models is a nontrivial task. The challenges include fine discretization needed to
achieve accuracy, avoiding the effects of reflected waves, and suitable turbulence initial
conditions. Suitable grid clustering is crucial to perform transient simulations within acceptable
durations. Specifically, clustering is needed near high gradients regions.