Quantifying the predictive capability of OpenFOAM 5.0: Focused wave impacts with floating bodies

This work concerns the quantification of numerical accuracy for focused wave interactions with floating structures, using results obtained via a commonly used CFD and linear wave superposition approach. It represents an individual contribution to the CCP-WSI Blind Test Series 3, where numerical predictions for a structure’s motion are submitted for comparison with physical data, without prior access to this data. An estimation of accuracy based on the reproduction of physical empty tank data, and previous experience, is compared with the observed error in the structure’s motion. The results imply that the error in peak values of heave and empty tank surface elevation are comparable, but the peak surge and pitch are substantially larger. This is likely due to a combination of numerical modelling errors, although numerical uncertainty must also be reduced in order to fully assess the problem.