Recent advances in the computation of nonlinear wave effects on offshore structures

Abstract

The present paper provides a review of recent research on various nonlinearities that arise in ocean wave interactions with offshore structures. These include nonlinearities associated with the incident waves alone, the response of slender structural members to waves, and the nonlinear diffraction problem involving wave interactions with large structures. Emphasis is given to areas of current research into two particular nonlinear problems. One concerns an investigation into alternative approximations to the Morison equation for flexible structures and the other concerns the numerical simulation of nonlinear wave diffraction around large structures. Key words: diffraction, hydrodynamics, nonlinear flow, ocean engineering, offshore structures, waves.