Large Eddy Simulation of the hydrodynamics generated by regular plunging breaking waves
Résumé
The scope of this work is to show the results obtained for simulating three-dimensional regular waves shoaling and breaking over a sloping beach. We solve the Navier-Stokes equations in air and water, coupled with a subgrid scale turbulence model (Large Eddy Simulation – LES), the interface tracking being achieved by a Lax-Wendroff TVD scheme, which is able to handle with interface reconnections [1]. The interest of this approach is to provide a complete and accurate description of free surface and velocity evolutions in the two phases, which must lead to the understanding of the complicated features which occur when waves break. The breaking processes including shoaling, overturning, splash-up and air entrainment, will be presented and discussed. The turbulent flow structures generation will be carefully described.