Defining the VOF Wave and Initial Conditions

The free surface water level changes over time during the simulation. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides the VOF Waves model that provides wave initial and boundary conditions. Here, you define a flat VOF wave as the ship is moving through calm water. To prevent wave reflections from boundaries, you also activate wave damping. Field functions from the wave model are applied as initial conditions.

To define a flat VOF Wave:
  1. In the Physics 1 continuum, right-click the VOF Waves > Waves node and select New > Flat.
    All properties are left at their default values as the wave represents calm stationary water.
Unless appropriate measures are applied, waves can be reflected from the surrounding boundaries due to the nature of the numerical methods employed. These non-physical wave reflections must be avoided as they interact with the true wave field and can lead to invalid results.
  1. To dampen wave reflections, edit the Regions > Domain node and set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Physics Conditions
    VOF Wave Zone Option VofWave Zone Option Damping
    Physics Values
    VOF Wave Damping Length Method Constant
    Value 15.0 m

When you create a VOF wave, several field functions become available that you use to initialize the simulation.
  1. To set initial conditions, in the Physics 1 continuum, edit the Initial Conditions node and set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Pressure Method Field Function
    Scalar Function Vof Wave > Flat Vof Wave 1 > Hydrostatic Pressure of Heavy Fluid of Flat Vof Wave 1
    Velocity Method Field Function
    Vector Function Vof Wave > Flat Vof Wave 1 > Velocity of Flat Vof Wave 1
    Volume Fraction Method Composite
    Composite > Water Method Field Function
    Scalar Function Vof Wave > Flat Vof Wave 1 > Volume Fraction of Heavy Fluid of Flat Vof Wave 1
    Composite > Air Method Field Function
    Scalar Function Vof Wave > Flat Vof Wave 1 > Volume Fraction of Light Fluid of Flat Vof Wave 1