Radiation and diffraction of water waves by a submerged sphere at forward speed

Abstract

A submerged sphere advancing in regular deep-water waves at constant forward speed is analysed by linearized potential theory. A distribution of sources over the surface of the sphere is expanded into a series of Legendre functions, by extension of the method used by Farell ( J . Ship Res . 17, 1 (1973)) in analysing the wave resistance on a submerged spheroid. The equations governing the velocity potential are satisfied by use of the appropriate Green function and by choosing the coefficients in the series of Legendre functions such that the body surface condition is satisfied. Numerical results are obtained for the wave resistance, hydrodynamic coefficients and exciting forces on the sphere. Some theoretical aspects of a body advancing in waves are also discussed. The far-field equation of Newman ( J . Ship Res . 5, 44 (1961)) for calculation of the damping coefficients is extended, and a similar equation for the exciting forces is derived.