New VOF method for simulation of non-linear wave effects

Numerical simulations of wave breaking over sloping beaches and on structures were performed by using a Navier-Stokes two phase flow model developed by Principia R.D. (soft EOLE). The Navier-Stokes equations are solved in air and water with respect to the real density ratio between the two fluids using a pseudo-compressibility method. The interface tracking is achieved by a new method called Segment Lagrangian -Volume Of Fluid (SL-VOF), using the well known concepts of VOF, Piecewise Linear Interface Calculation (PLIC) and Lagrangian advection of the Segments representing the interface. This method is very accurate when dealing with highly nonlinear interfaces. Results are presented for solitary waves normally incident on bottoms of constant slope and on structures. The results are successfully compared with those obtained by numerical models based on the Boundary Integral Element Method (BIEM) for the shoaling of solitary waves up to breaking, and with experimental data.