Numerical Modelling of Breaking Wave Impacts on a Vertical Wall

The impact processes on a vertical wall resulting from breaking waves are numerical simulated. Two dimensional incompressible viscous flow which is governed by the Navier-Stokes Equations and the continuity equation is solved by a finite difference scheme based on the Volume of Fluid(VOF) concept. Some comparisons with experimental results reveal that the present model is able to simulate the impact process with negligible air entrappment not only qualitatively but also quantitatively well. Although the impact pressure of a plunging breaker with non-negligible air entrapment can not be quantitatively well simulated by this model due to the restriction of the incompressible flow, the wave kinematics is still well simulated.