SPH Method Applied to Naval-Hydrodynamic Problems

Common problems in naval hydrodynamic and coastal engineering are the studies of general internal and external flows. Classic methods of solution have to face break down when dealing with large defor- mations and fragmentations of the air-water interface. Possible algorithms of solutions can be based on fixed-grid solvers of the fluid dynamic equations coupled with techniques to capture the interface evolution, like Level Set (LS) or Volume Of Fluid (VOF). These methods proved to be suitable in many circumstances but still much work is required to improve them in terms of solution validity. An alternative meshless technique is the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. For it, no computational grid is introduced in the domain (meshless character) and the flow evolution is described follow- ing the motion of a set of fluid particles (Lagrangian character). It has been applied to the study of some internal (sloshing and dam-break problem) and external flows (breaking and post-breaking evolution of bores propagation toward beaches and bow breaking waves generated by fast slender vessels).