Influence of Wave Shape on the Impact of Shallow-Water Waves on Vertical Walls

A numerical study of the impact of shallow-water waves on vertical walls is presented. The air-liquid flow was simulated using a code for incompressible viscous flow, based on a local level set algorithm and a second-order approximate projection method. The level set transport and reinitialization equations were solved in a narrow band around the interface using an adaptive refined grid. The wave is assumed to be generated by a plunger which is accelerated in an open channel containing water. An arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method was used to take into account the relative movement between the plunger and the end wall of the channel. The evolution of the free surface was visualized using a laser light sheet and a high-speed camera, with a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz. Several simulations were carried out to investigate the influence of the shape of the wave approaching the wall on the relevant quantities associated with the impact. The wave shape just before the impact was changed varying the total length of the channel. The results are compared with experimental results and with results obtained by other authors.Copyright © 2006 by ASME