Framework for uncertainty quantification of wave-structure interaction in a flume

TL;DR

This study addresses uncertainty in wave-structure interaction by coupling a WCSPH-based wave model (DualSPHysics) with a FEM structural solver in a one-way framework and driving forward uncertainty quantification with Latin Hypercube Sampling and KDE-based PDF estimation. The approach enables probabilistic predictions of structural responses (e.g., RMSA, peak floor displacement) under varying solitary-wave heights and regimes (including breaking), validated against HyTOFU experiments and OpenFOAM results. Key findings include nonlinear dependence of loading on wave height, significant effects of wave breaking on force histories, and the potential of surrogate digital wave flumes for rapid scenario screening. The work lays a foundation for probabilistic WSI analysis and future digital twin development through surrogate modelling and expanded uncertainty coverage.

Abstract

In this paper we propose a numerical procedure for the quantification of uncertainties in wave-structure interaction. We utilise the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) scheme for modelling the wave mechanics, coupled one-way with a finite element method (FEM) for the structural response. Physical wave flumes are extensively used in the study of hydrodynamics especially in wave-structure interaction (WSI) and prediction of forces to near-shore structures in disaster mitigation and offshore structures in the oil and gas, and more recently renewable energy sector. Over the years, numerical wave flumes have been developed extensively to enable the modelling of complex wave-structure interaction. However, most of these studies are deterministic and limited to using either simple flexible beams or rigid monolithic structures to model the structural part in the WSI. Additionally, uncertainties are commonly observed in both wave and structural parameters and need to be accounted for. This work presents a numerical framework to enable uncertainty quantification for wave-structure interaction problems in terms of the forces experienced by the structure. A one-way coupling between SPH with the FEM and uncertainty quantification (UQ) is proposed. We employ the so-called Tokyo wave flume geometry, which has potential for future surrogate modelling in WSI. The developed model is validated using numerical and experimental results from the literature and is used to demonstrate the prediction of probabilistic responses of structures under breaking and non-breaking wave scenarios.

Figures (19)

• Figure 1: Illustration of the one-way coupling
• Figure 2: HyTOFU experimental set up including the location of wave gauges and the structure of interest. The dimensions are shown in SI units.
• Figure 3: DualSPHysics setup of the HyTOFU wave flume. A depiction of the moving wall (red), solid walls (grey) and water (blue).
• Figure 4: Mesh convergence study of SPH results for WG 1-3: normalised free surface elevation obtained from SPH simulations are compared with experimental results from Joetal2021 for different inter-particle distances ($\mathrm{dp}$) (left); resulting error, in comparison to experiments (right). $\eta$ and $\eta_0$ represent the wave height and characteristic wave height ($\eta_0$ = 0.4 ), respectively. $t$ represents simulation time (12 in total) and $T_0$ represents the characteristic time ($T_0 = 2.747$).
• Figure 5: Validation of SPH simulation through comparison of normalised free surface elevation at the wave gauges (a) WG 1, (b) WG 2, (c) WG 3 (d) WG 4 (e) WG 5 (f) WG 8. $\eta$ and $\eta_0$ represent the wave height and characteristic wave height ($\eta_0$ = 0.4 ). $t$ represents simulation time (12 in total) and $T_0$ represents the characteristic time ($T_0 = 2.747$). Here the comparison is between SPH (current work) with results from Joetal2021, namely VOF (OpenFOAM) and wave flume experiments. The results are compared only for the wage gauges upstream of the structure.