Numerical investigation on the wave force characteristics of multi-cylinder with equilateral-triangular arrangement

Based on the open source program DualSPHysics, a numerical investigation is carried out on the hydrodynamic characteristics of multi-cylinder with equilateral-triangular arrangement and the wave field distribution characteristics under the action of regular waves. With the SPH method, the hydrodynamic response characteristics of multi-cylinder with equilateral-triangular arrangement are analyzed under different wave directions. The phase difference distribution characteristics of the wave force on multi-cylinder with equilateral-triangular arrangement are analyzed, as well as the wave field distribution characteristics under different wave angles. In addition, the wave force distribution characteristics and the phase difference distribution characteristics of multi-cylinder with equilateral-triangular arrangement are explored under different wave parameters (wave period and wave height). Through the observations of the hydrodynamic forces induced by the wave, the phase difference of these forces on upstream cylinder and downstream cylinder is the largest when the wave angle is 30°. The maximum wave force of the cylinder is roughly proportional to the distance between the center of the cylinder and the x-axis centerline of the wave field. •Numerical simulations of the interaction between waves and three cylinders are carried out.•The different wave parameters on the wave force characteristics of the three cylinders are analyzed.•The free surface, phase difference and wave force are mainly studied for the three cylinders.•The center cylinder has a lager impact on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the downstream cylinder.