The prediction of wave patterns at large distances from a moving body in a confined channel

In this study we have investigated the ability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict far field wave propagation parameters generated by vessels at forward speeds in a confined channel.

A model pressure source has been tested in the Australian Maritime College Towing Tank with wave probes located at a range of lateral distances through the channel which measured the parameters of the generated waves.

The CFD software ANSYS Fluent was used to simulate the same conditions using the finite volume method. The numerical results are compared with experimental data for different lateral distances from the pressure source. The comparisons show that the numerical approach is able to satisfactorily predict the wave parameters in the far field, as well as the near field.