Abstract
In this paper, the diffraction problems for fixed offshore structures are solved using a hybrid scheme. In this hybrid scheme, potential-based solutions and the Navier-Stokes-based finite volume method (FVM) with a volume-of-fluid (VOF) method are combined. We introduce a buffer zone for efficient wave-making and damping. In this buffer zone, the near field solution from FVM-VOF is gradually changed to Stokes' 2nd order wave solutions. Three different models, including the truncated cylinder, sphere, and wigleyIII model, are numerically investigated in regular waves with a wave steepness of 1/30. The efficiency and accuracy of the hybrid scheme are numerically validated from results using different domain sizes and buffer zones. The wave exciting forces from the FVM-VOF simulations are compared with experiments and potential-based solutions from the higher-order boundary element method (HOBEM). This comparison shows good agreement between the hybrid scheme and potential-based solutions.