A hybrid element method for steady linearized free-surface flows

It is first shown that the two-dimensional linearized ship wave problem can be recast as the sum of a radiation and a diffraction problem for simple harmonic waves. Each problem can be solved by a hybrid element method (HEM) where conventional finite elements are used near the body and analytical solutions are used in the remaining infinite regions (super-elements). Variational principles which incorporate the matching conditions between regular and super-elements as natural conditions are derived. Numerical examples are presented. The theoretical aspects for extending the above ideas to a three-dimensional ship wave problems are also described.