Numerical modelling of wave-structure interaction by a three-dimensional non-linear boundary element method : a step towards the numerical wave tank

A three-dimensional numerical model for determination of the interaction between non-linear water waves and a structure is developed. The model is based on a boundary integral equation method for the spatial solution of a potential theory problem, combined with a time-stepping method based on the fully non-linear free surface conditions for temporal updating of the boundary. Computational results are given of the wave field around and the forces and moments on a structure in the fluid domain. Comparison with experimental results shows good agreement. The present model is considered to be one of the steps towards a three-dimensional numerical model in which the wave-structure interaction in a wave tank can be simulated.