Numerical and experimental modelling of awave energy converter pitching in close proximity to a fixed structure

Abstract

Free-floating bodies are commonly modelled using Cummins' equation based on linear potential flow theory and including non-linear forces when necessary. In this paper, this methodology is applied to a body pitching around a fixed hinge (not free-floating) located close to a second bottom-fixed body. Due to the configuration of the setup, strong hydrodynamic interactions occur between the two bodies. An investigation is made into which non-linear forces need to be included in the model in order to accurately represent reality without losing computational efficiency. The non-linear forces investigated include hydrostatic restoring stiffness and different formulations of excitation forces and quadratic drag forces. Based on a numerical comparison, it is concluded that the different non-linear forces, except for the quadratic drag force, have a minor influence on the calculated motion of the pitching body. Two formulations of the quadratic drag force are shown to result in similar motions, hence the most efficient one is preferred. Comparisons to wave basin experiments show that this model is, to a large extent, representative of reality. At the wave periods where the hydrodynamic interactions between the bodies are largest, however, the amplitudes of motion measured in the wave basin are lower than those calculated numerically.