Lattice Boltzmann modeling of water entry problems

Abstract

This paper deals with the simulation of water entry problems using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The dynamics of the free surface is treated through the mass and momentum fluxes across the interface cells. A bounce-back boundary condition is utilized to model the contact between the fluid and the moving object. The method is implemented for the analysis of a two-dimensional flow physics produced by a symmetric wedge entering vertically a weakly-compressible fluid at a constant velocity. The method is used to predict the wetted length, the height of water pile-up, the pressure distribution and the overall force on the wedge. The accuracy of the numerical results is demonstrated through comparisons with data reported in the literature.