A Finite Volume Method-Discrete Element Method Solver for Simulating the Interaction between Water Waves and a Partially Consolidated Mud Bed

Abstract

A novel solver that combines the finite volume method and the discrete element method to investigate the interaction between progressive waves and a seabed composed of partially consolidated mud is proposed. The finite volume method is employed to solve the 2D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, employing an arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian description to simulate the propagation of regular waves. The solver incorporates the kinematic boundary conditions at the free surfaces. Through a series of preliminary test cases, both the finite volume method and the discrete element method demonstrate satisfactory performance and are validated using available experimental data. Then, the presented finite volume method–discrete element method solvers are applied to analyze the interaction between water waves and the seabed, considering incompressible pores. The model is extended to simulate the dynamic interaction between waves and mud by incorporating particle–particle interaction. The partially consolidated mud beds are represented as assemblies of spherical particles. The numerical results are compared with experimental data, specifically focusing on the free surface time series, the hydrodynamic pressure, and the particle velocity components measured by wave gauges, pore pressure transducers, and electromagnetic current measurements, respectively. The results demonstrate a good agreement between the numerical and experimental findings. Notably, the estimation of cell porosity is identified as a crucial factor in achieving the accurate results when comparing the numerical and experimental data.