Numerical Investigation of Hydrodynamic Characteristics During Water Exit of a Cylindrical Structure Subjected to Wave—Current Coupled Effects

Abstract

The synergistic interaction of underwater ocean currents and surface wave dynamics governs the hydrodynamic behavior of structures in practical marine environments. However, research on their kinematic characteristics under composite hydrodynamic loading across varying sea state conditions is lacking. To elucidate the effects of wave—current coupling on the motion characteristics of structures, this study simulates the motion processes of a cylindrical structure in diverse sea state conditions. Changes in the structure’s attitude, velocity, and trajectory height are considered. Through the analysis of the pressure and velocity fields during the movement of the cylindrical structure, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the structure’s surface emergence are further systematically investigated. The results demonstrate the minimal fluid—structure interaction influence on cylindrical structure dynamics during the underwater phase. Notably, the horizontal motion characteristics exhibit intensified variations with the increases in wave levels, which reveals a strong coupling between near-surface dynamics and wave. Further investigation of the cylindrical structure’s motion characteristics during water exit at various wave phases under identical sea state conditions reveals the emergence of the cylindrical structure at the wave crest, and its lateral displacement is considerably larger than when it emerges at the wave trough. In addition, the emergence of the cylindrical structure at corresponding opposite phases reverses the cylindrical structure’s deflection direction. Under the combined effect of wave—current coupling, the cylindrical structure’s lateral displacement in the negative direction of the x-axis increases with current velocity enhancement during the underwater movement phase, and it is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the deflection angle between the cylindrical structure body and free surface. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic effect of varying sea states during water exit induces a pronounced lateral motion in the postemergence trajectory and concurrently causes a substantial reduction in vertical altitude. Investigation of the cylindrical structure’s dynamic behavior under the combined influence of multiple complex launch conditions can provide a scientific reference to ensure the safety of underwater cylindrical structure launches.

Keywords

Structure water exit / Wave level / Wave phase / Wave—current coupling

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Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature