# Recent Results from Analysis of Flow Structures and Energy Modes Induced by Viscous Wave around a Surface-Piercing Cylinder

Authors: Giancarlo Alfonsi; Agostino Lauria; Leonardo Primavera
Journal: Mathematical Problems in Engineering
 (2017)

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## Abstract

Due to its relevance in ocean engineering, the subject of the flow field generated by water waves around a vertical circular cylinder piercing the free surface has recently started to be considered by several research groups. In particular, we studied this problem starting from the velocity-potential framework, then the implementation of the numerical solution of the Euler equations in their velocity-pressure formulation, and finally the performance of the integration of the Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables. We also developed and applied methods of extraction of the flow coherent structures and most energetic modes. In this work, we present some new results of our research directed, in particular, toward the clarification of the main nonintuitive character of the phenomenon of interaction between a wave and a surface-piercing cylinder, namely, the fact that the wave exerts its maximum force and exhibits its maximum run-up on the cylindrical obstacle at different instants. The understanding of this phenomenon becomes of crucial importance in the perspective of governing the entity of the wave run-up on the obstacle by means of wave-flow-control techniques.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Wave diffraction caused by vertical circular cylinders piercing the free surface has gained a renewed relevance in ocean engineering due to recent technical applications such as the installation of offshore wind turbines, where, in the case of small amplitude waves, the results of numerical and experimental studies are usually compared with the potential function solution introduced by the pioneering work of MacCamy and Fuchs [1]. As for published works, in the numerical field, there exist a number of potential-flow studies [2–5] in which the good correspondence between potential flow fields and potential theory results is clearly demonstrated. In the experimental field, on the contrary, a number of authors [6–20] verified that linear diffraction actually strongly underestimates the run-ups (for a more extensive discussion about existing literature, one can refer to the review work [21]). In fact, under a computational viewpoint, the only correct approach to this problem is the integration of the system of the Navier-Stokes equations, a procedure still rarely used today. One of the first researches of this kind is that of Choi et al. [22] who executed a study of the run-up induced by a tsunami wave around a simplified island model adopting the RANS technique coupled with an RNG closure model (see [23] for an overview of the RANS approach to the numerical integration of the Navier-Stokes equations, and refer to Nomenclature for the meaning of acronyms and symbols). Alfonsi et al. [24–26] have faced the problem of wave diffraction caused by a circular cylinder piercing the free surface, starting from the velocity-potential approach, then the solution of the Euler equations in their velocity-pressure formulation, and finally, numerically solving the system of the Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables, following the DNS technique. Methods for the extraction of the flow coherent structures ([27]) and most energetic modes have also been developed and applied. In this work some new results of our research are presented, in particular, directed toward the explanation of the main nonintuitive character of the phenomenon of interaction between a water wave and a surface-piercing vertical circular cylinder, namely, the fact that the wave exerts its maximum force and exhibits its maximum run-up on the cylindrical obstacle at different instants. In what follows, Section 2 reports on numerical simulations and code validation and Section 3 concisely reports on the methods followed for the extraction of the flow coherent structures and most energetic modes, while, in Section 4, the results are illustrated. A discussion is reported in the conclusions.


## 2. Calculations

The nondimensional Navier-Stokes equations, in three dimensions and in their velocity-pressure formulation, are considered (the fluid is incompressible and viscous, Einstein summation convention applies to repeated indices,i,j=1,2,3):(1a)∂ui∂t+uj∂ui∂xj=-∂p∂xi+1ReNS∂2ui∂xj∂xj+δi,3(1b)∂ui∂xi=0,where uiu,v,w are nondimensional velocity components in the Cartesian-coordinate system xix,y,z, p is a nondimensional pressure, and δij is the Kronecker delta (note that, for simplicity, the symbols for both dependent and independent variables have not been altered in switching from the dimensional to the dimensionless formalism). Operators and variables have been adimensionalized by the cylinder diameter (D) for lengths, the groups (Dg) for velocities, (ρDg) for pressures, and (D/g) for time, and ReNS is the Reynolds number that results from the above adimensionalization operations (ρ is fluid density, ν is fluid kinematic viscosity, g is acceleration due to gravity).The Reynolds number (ReNS) in equation (1a) and the wave-field Reynolds number (Re), are related by the following expression:(2)ReNS=DgDν=2πReKCDLtanh⁡kd.The Flow-3D code has been utilized in the computations [28, 29]. This computational code solves the flow momentum equations using the finite-volumes, and has been satisfactorily validated by several authors in different flow cases [30–34].We have also performed a work of validation of the code. The Flow-3D solver has been validated in the case of the flow of a viscous fluid between two parallel plates at a moderate Reynolds-number value, against an accurate reference code, that is, the hybrid spectral-finite difference Navier-Stokes code, as originally developed by Alfonsi et al. [35], and later tested by Passoni et al. [36–38], and by Alfonsi and Primavera [39] (one can refer to Table 3 of [21] for an outlook of the computational parameters used in the numerical simulations of the benchmark case). The process of code validation gave very satisfactory results, as related to both mean-flow quantities and high-order statistics of fluctuating velocities. Thus, we are now confident that high-energy modes and coherent structures of the flow, as computed in the present work, are correct (one can refer to Figures 4–8 of [21] for an extensive presentation of the benchmark-case results).In the present simulations, no models have been used for the fluctuating velocities, so we follow the technique of the Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS). It is known that in DNS one solves the system of the momentum equations with physically-consistent accuracy in both time and space, that is, one resolves the essential spatial and temporal scales of the flow. Concerning the scale-resolution requirements in DNS, the criterion of resolving the Kolmogorov microscales [η=ν3/ε-1/4, τη=ν/ε-1/2] is usually followed, or at most limited multiples of the latter. The Kolmogorov microscales have been calculated by estimating the quantity (ε-), that is, the average rate of dissipation of kinetic energy per unit mass [40]:(3)ε-≅2πr0dτwumaxρLxLyd-πr02d=FfumaxρdLxLy-πr02 (Ff is the portion of the force due to friction [41]), so that one obtains(4)ε-≅0.00000525D1/2g3/2;η=0.0147D;τη=3.45Dg.The computational domain ([21], Figure 3) has been discretized in a 5-block computational grid ([21], Figure 9).Table4 of [21] reports (besides other relevant parameters) the partitions of the computing domain occupied by each block of grid points, and the grid-point distances Δx, Δy, Δz within each block. As for the computational grid, it can be noticed that (i) the grid point-distances Δx and Δy (along the x- and y-directions) are constant in the peripheral blocks 1, 2, 4, and 5, while, within the internal block 3, they are nonuniformly distributed according to a hyperbolic-tangent law, (ii) Δz (along the z-direction) assumes a constant value through all blocks. By adopting this configuration, the space resolutions along x and y at the cylinder wall can resolve less than 0.5η, while at the outer boundaries of the computing domain they can still resolve less than 2.5η (one can also refer to [21], Table 4). These values are well in the ranges usually used in DNS. No-slip and zero wall-normal velocity boundary conditions have been imposed on the cylinder wall. Symmetry conditions have been set on both the x-z lateral boundary planes of the domain, outflow conditions have been enforced on the y-z end-plane, besides the free-surface condition at the wave surface. The flow field corresponding to the incident wave of the case at hand has been generated at the y-z inlet plane. A specially-assembled multicore computer has been used for the calculations; it includes 2 Intel Xeon 5660 exa-core processors (a total of 12 CPU), 48 GB of RAM, and 1.8 TB of mass memory (one can refer to [42] for a complete description of the system).


## 3. Structures and Modes

Among the different methods for the identification of the coherent vortical structures in a flow field ([43]), the swirling-strength criterion (or λci criterion, see also [27]) has been used (one can refer to [43] for a complete description of the method). In several different flow cases (see [44–46] for more details), this technique has demonstrated to give very satisfactory results. As for the present work, the results of the simulations have been reported by visualizing the flow structures corresponding to a given threshold value of λci (λcith) [47]. In Figures 1(a) and 2(a) the outer surface of each structure is colored with (ωy, the vorticity spanwise component) in a blue-to-red scale, with ωy varying within a given interval [bluish ωy (negative) mirrors clockwise local-particle rotation, reddish ωy (positive) mirrors counterclockwise local-particle rotation, greyish areas correspond to quasi-zero y-vorticity]. In Figures 1(b) and 2(b), the outer surfaces are further colored with the values of the pressure field, in a dark-to-light scale (near the free surface, bluish areas denote low pressure values and, deeper under the free surface, rosy areas denote higher pressure values; see also Table 1). Then, the figures, in which the coherent structures of the flow are visualized, mirror three types of information: (i) they depict the fluid flow in terms of coherent structures, as extracted with the λci criterion and shown at given values of λcith; (ii) thelines that one can eventually detect in the figures represent borders between different structures; (iii) the outer surfaces of the structures are colored with ωy, the spanwise vorticity (or also with the pressure), so that the sign and magnitude of the local-particle rotation can be inferred from the figures themselves (more intense ωy denotes vortex-line stretching, less intense ωy denotes shrinking of the vortex-lines).Table 1
Field instants represented in Figures1–5.
Figures
Instant (t) [T units]
Instant (t) [D/g units]
Instant characteristics
Figure1
0.000
0.000
Beginning of wave period
Figures2 and 4
0.144
0.715
t
=
t
F
m
a
x
N
S (instant at which Fmax is verified)
Figures3 and 5
0.257
1.276
t
=
t
R
m
a
x
N
S (instant at which Rmax is verified)Figure 1
Bottom view of structure field (λci criterion) at t=0. Structures colored with: (a) spanwise vorticity of wave field; (b) pressure values of wave field.Figure 2
Bottom view of structure field (λci criterion) at t=0.144 (t=tFmaxNS). Structures colored with: (a) spanwise vorticity of wave field; (b) pressure values of wave field.As for flow modes, the Karhunen-Loève (KL) decomposition has been implemented for the extraction of the most energetic modes of the flow (one can refer to [48–50] for a complete description of the method). Also, this technique has shown to give very interesting results in several different flow cases ([51–55]). For the problem at hand, the computational code has been utilized, as originally developed by Alfonsi and Primavera [56]. Due to limits in our computational resources, a spatial subdomain has been selected within the whole original domain in which the Navier-Stokes computations have been previously executed. The subdomain involves Nx=49, Ny=80, Nz=10 points (Ntot=39200), and is localized right upstream from the cylinder (Figures 4 and 5).As a result of the decomposition, a total of (3×Nx×Ny×Nz=117600) three-component eigenfunctions with related eigenvalues, have been computed. It resulted, as expected, in that the first three eigenfunctions alone exhibit a cumulative energy content of more than 99.8% of the total kinetic energy of the flow field. Thus, a reduced three-dimensional, time-dependent velocity field in the subdomain has been reconstructed by taking into account only the three most energetic eigenfunctions. As for visualizations, the reduced velocity fields have been reported by visualizing surfaces of constant wave-field velocity components at given threshold values.


## 4. Results

As for forces and run-up values, Figure10 in [21] shows the maxima values of the force (adimensional) on the cylindrical body as obtained in the calculations, in comparison with linear theory, numerical solution of the Euler equations, and experimental data. Both linear-theory and Euler-equation results slightly underestimate the force with respect to the results given by both the Navier-Stokes calculations and the experiments (at similar values of kr0). It is to be noted here that the general good agreement between potential-theory and Euler-equation results shows that, in the inviscid-fluid framework, both potential theory and mass- and momentum equations give, in practice, the same results. It is then confirmed that all differences that can be found between inviscid and viscous fluid results, are due to the effects of the shear-stresses (generated by the viscosity).In an analogous manner, Figure11 in [21] shows the maxima values of the run-up (adimensional) on the cylindrical body as obtained in the calculations, again in comparison with linear theory, numerical solution of the Euler equations, and experimental data. The circumstance that linear theory (and also Euler-equation results) strongly underestimates the viscous-fluid wave run-up is here confirmed by both Navier-Stokes simulations and experimental data.As for wave-flow structures and energy modes (see also Table1), Figures 1–3 show bottom views of the flow fields through a sequence of instants, where “(a)” images show the λci derived flow structures (colored with ωy as previously outlined) and “(b)” images show the same structures colored with the wave-field pressure values. From Figure 1(a) (t=0), it appears that the free-surface tracks B and C are the borders of a structure that is noticeably contaminated by negative spanwise vorticity under the free-surface level, while tracks F, G, and I mirror the presence of remarkably developed underwater tubular structures with a high vorticity content. The wave-crest structure (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)) is characterized by a remarkable phenomenon of mass accumulation right in front of the cylinder.Figure 3
Bottom view of structure field (λci criterion) at t=0.257 (t=tRmaxNS). Structures colored with: (a) spanwise vorticity of wave field; (b) pressure values of wave field.Figure 4
Bottom view of constant-velocity surfaces from KL-mode reconstruction att=tFmaxNS: (a) x-component (u); (a′) scheme of u-modes spatial organization; (b) y-component (v); (c) z-component (w).Figure 5
Bottom view of constant-velocity surfaces from KL-mode reconstruction att=tRmaxNS: (a) x-component (u); (a′) scheme of u-modes spatial organization; (b) y-component (v); (c) z-component (w).From Figure2(a) (t=0.144, t=tFmaxNS) and right upstream from the cylinder, it is possible to observe a spanwise tubular structure as part of a complex wave-trough structure, the latter including the so-called vorticity-inversion zone (one can refer to [21] for a complete description of this phenomenon). Figure 2(b) also shows that the peripheral zone of the latter tubular structure lies more in depth with respect to its central part. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) further show, right upstream from the cylinder, a central structure under the free-surface level, as characterized by negative vorticity (Figure 2(a)) and remarkable depth (Figure 2(b)).Figure3 (t=0.257, t=tRmaxNS) shows the flow fields at the instant in which the wave exhibits its maximum run-up on the cylinder. Also, here a complex tubular structure can be recognized upstream from the cylinder, the latter showing at center a massive substructure. Note that this substructure is characterized by less-intense spanwise vorticity than other portions of the same structure (Figure 3(a)). From Figure 3(b), it can be noted that the substructure extends noticeably in depth under the free surface, differently from what is shown in Figure 2(b) (previous instant), where, upstream from the cylinder, the central part of the trough structure lies practically at the free-surface level. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) also show the central structure, as now characterized by positive vorticity and remarkable depth (the structure has broken up in two parts).Figures4 and 5 show bottom-view visualizations at t=tFmaxNS and t=tRmaxNS of the structure field in terms of isosurfaces of the KL-mode-reconstructed velocity field, where “(a),” “(b),” and “(c)” images are related to the velocity components u, v, and w, respectively. In these figures, relatively large threshold values of u, v, w have been selected in an attempt of unveiling the most energetic structures of the field. In Figure 4(a), isosurfaces of the reduced-field x-velocity component are shown from underwater. It can be noticed that the high-kinetic-energy flow structures are organized in small- and larger flow scales, where, in particular, Zone A is a small-scale area located in front of the cylinder, Zone B is a small-scale area adjacent to the former, and Zone C is a large-scale peripheral area.Borders can be visually identified among these zones, as depicted in Figure4(a′).In going fromtFmaxNS to tRmaxNS (Figure 5(a)), one can notice that Zone A has noticeably grown in extent, while the border of Zone C is slightly more flattened with respect to the previous instant. Interestingly, the density of the high-energy flow structures, especially in Zone A, is now much higher than before (the u-threshold value is the same) and a similar phenomenon also occurs as related to the z-velocity component (w). At tFmaxNS (Figure 5(c)), the field of the iso-w structures is characterized by the presence of a quasi-triangular small-scale zone right in front of the cylinder (arrows 6) and of another zone, upstream from the former (arrows 5). In going from tFmaxNS to tRmaxNS, both zones have grown in extent (Figure 5(c)), and the density of the high-energy flow structures is now much higher than it was at the previous instant (the w- threshold is the same). Thus, in front of the cylinder, both the u- and the w- kinetic-energy contents are remarkably higher at tRmaxNSthan at tFmaxNS.


## 5. Conclusions

The results obtained in this work actually suggest an explanation of the main nonintuitive character of the process of interaction between a wave and a surface-piercing cylinder, namely, the fact that the wave field exerts its maximum force and exhibits its maximum run-up at different instants [(tFmax),(tRmax)], the former before the latter.The results show that the flow field, at the instant in which the wave exerts its maximum force, is characterized (i) by the most complex configuration of underwater structures, mainly at the upstream cylinder wall, and, (ii) by the presence of an oncoming wavefront toward the cylinder whose strength actually causes the so-called vorticity-inversion phenomenon (the latter extensively described in [21]). These two simultaneous flow phenomena actually determine the maximum inline force on the cylinder. Furthermore, Figure 5 tells us that the instant (tRmax) at which the wave field exhibits its maximum run-up is characterized by the maximum density of high-kinetic-energy flow structures in the proximity of the obstacle. This high-energy content of the wave flow actually determines the aforementioned maximum run-up.



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