Absorbing Beaches

Ratnakar Gadi
January 17, 2017
Abstract
When solving the initial boundary value problem,in order to obtain an unique solution,a radiation condition has to be imposed.In panel methods,using Rankine sources,absorbing beaches
ensure the radiation condition to be satisfied.

The free surface waves can be made to satisfy the radiation condition by imposing any of the
four methods:
1. By invoking a periodic boundary condition on the domain boundary.
2. By using methods of matching,so as to match the inner solution with a three dimensional
solution that satisfies the radiation condition.
3. By the application of sommersfield radiation condition(only possible for a single frequency).
4. By the use of numerical beaches.
In this article,the numerical beach are used to make sure that the radiation condition is satisfied.This method implies that either the waves should be absorbed or transmitted at the truncation of the free surface(truncation done so as to ensure limited portion of free surface),but not
reflected.This can be achieved by either adding an term in the field equation or in the free surface
condition.Though,both of these methods,may produce similar results,the physical mechanisms are
different.
Viscous term in Field equations :The field equation can be modified by adding an term,in
which case the other term acts as internal friction(just like rayleigh damping) in the fluid and hence
dissipate energy.Chan solves the linear momentum equation with the addition of linear damping
term:

+
v
v + P + k +
v =0
(1)
t
The energy absorbed:
ZZZ
DEf

v
v d
(2)
Dt

Viscous term in free surface boundary condition :A viscous term can be added in the free
surface boundary condition,in which case the mechanism of the energy loss is different.Since,the
energy loss is not due to the internal friction,the energy can be absorbed/lost through the free
surface.
1
+ + P + gz + p = 0
(3)
t
2
In this equation,the term P represents the viscous term in the free surface condition which is zero
outside the absorbing zone.In this case,the energy lost due to the beach:
ZZ
DEf
=
P n d
(4)
Dt
Sbeach

By choosing P =
v ,we get the same as the eq(2).A wrong choice of P may lead to erroneous
results,such as positive energy to the free surface.