Efficient numerical modelling of focused wave groups for freak wave generation

Copyright © 2015 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE). Focused waves are commonly used to represent extreme wave events. This study examines the numerical modelling of unidirectional focused wave groups using different tools. The focusing of the wave groups is achieved through an iterative correction of the amplitudes and the phases of the wave components that form the energy spectrum of the group. The scope of the paper is to compare the accuracy and the efficiency of the numerical models employed and to investigate if an integrated numerical modelling approach is applicable. Experimental results are used as a benchmark to assess the accuracy of the replication of the physical processes of the problem by the numerical models.