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To The Linear Panel Method Wamit: Emma Edwards

This document introduces the linear panel method used in WAMIT to compute hydrodynamic properties of structures in waves. It describes that WAMIT was created at MIT in 1987 and uses the boundary integral equation method to solve the Laplace equation and calculate properties. It then explains the key steps of the panel method which are to discretize the body surface into panels, derive integral equations using Green's theorem, assume potentials are constant over each panel, solve the system of equations, and compute required forces and properties.

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Arjun Vinod
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36 views13 pages

To The Linear Panel Method Wamit: Emma Edwards

This document introduces the linear panel method used in WAMIT to compute hydrodynamic properties of structures in waves. It describes that WAMIT was created at MIT in 1987 and uses the boundary integral equation method to solve the Laplace equation and calculate properties. It then explains the key steps of the panel method which are to discretize the body surface into panels, derive integral equations using Green's theorem, assume potentials are constant over each panel, solve the system of equations, and compute required forces and properties.

Uploaded by

Arjun Vinod
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

to the Linear
Panel
Method
WAMIT
Emma Edwards
WaveAnalysisMIT (WAMIT)
• Created in 1987 at MIT by Dr. Chang-Ho Lee and Prof. J.
Nicholas Newman
• Computes hydrodynamic properties of structures in waves
• Uses the Boundary Integral Equation Method, or the Panel
Method
Panel Methods: problem statement
• Assumptions: Linear
• Fluid is incompressible, inviscid
• Flow is irrotational
• Assume small motions relative to
wavelength and body

• Laplace equation

• Linear; superposition of solutions


• Typical solutions: source, sink, dipole

• Velocity potential
Panel Methods: problem statement,
cont’d
• Decompose velocity potential
(incident, diffraction, radiation)

• is the velocity potential of the incident


wave
• is the diffraction potential (due to
disturbance of wave field in order to
satisfy no-flux):

• is the radiation potential (due to the body creating waves, even in


absence of an incident wave)

where is the complex amplitude of body oscillatory motion and is the


corresponding unit-amplitude radiation potential
Panel Methods: Overview
1. Use Green’s theorem to derive integral equations for velocity potentials on the
body boundary

2. Discretize the body surface by a large number N of panels

3. The sources and dipole moments are assumed constant on each panel  total
of N unknowns

4. The potential is evaluated at the centroid of each panel and set equal to the
normal incident potential

5. Solve system of equations

6. Compute required forces and moments


Step 1: using Green’s theorem to derive
integral equations
• = the velocity potential at point due to a
periodic source with strength -4π located at point ,
satisfying free-surface boundary condition, bottom
boundary condition, and radiation condition (Green
function)
• Green’s theorem: from Gauss’ divergence theorem
Step 2: discretize the body surface
• Discretize the shape into quadrilateral or triangular panels
• I use Chebyshev polynomials as basis functions to
represent any shape of surface (optimization)
• Chebyshev polynomials

• Represent radius r and depth z as functions of parameter s


(allow for slope discontinuities), and top radius as a
function of parameter t
Step 2: discretize the body surface,
examples
• Hemisphere: use Galerkin method to find coefficients

• General shapes (axisymmetric vs. not)


Steps 3-5
• Source is assumed constant over each panel
• The potential is evaluated at the centroid of each panel
• Radiation potentials

• Diffraction potential

• where

• System of N equations is solved, and


WAMIT: properties calculated (for range
of frequencies)
• Added-mass and damping coefficients
• Exciting forces
• Body motions in waves
• Hydrodynamic pressure
• Free-surface elevation
Example: Convergence of hemisphere
properties
• Added mass and damping coefficients
Example: hemisphere properties
• Exciting force

• Hydrodynamic pressure

• Free-surface elevation
Example: hemisphere properties
• Velocity field

• Quiver plot in MATLAB to show the flow field

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