The past, present and future of multi-scale modelling applied to wave-structure interaction in ocean engineering

Area of Science:

• Ocean Engineering
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Wave-Structure Interaction

Background:

• Multi-scale modeling is crucial for complex wave-structure interactions.
• Existing methods include domain and functional decomposition approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution and application of multi-scale modeling in wave-structure interaction over the past 20 years.
• To consolidate past, present, and future research contributions.
• To discuss the role of collaborative research and machine learning.

Main Methods:

• Domain decomposition: spatial segregation for far-field (potential flow) and near-field (Navier-Stokes).
• Functional decomposition: separating velocity fields for free surface identification.
• Implementation with partitioned/monolithic schemes and mesh-based/meshless methods.

Main Results:

• Established applicability of multi-scale modeling across diverse numerical techniques.
• Identified the need for comparative studies to establish best practices.
• Highlighted the emerging role of machine learning in large-scale ocean engineering.

Conclusions:

• Multi-scale modeling has significantly advanced wave-structure interaction research.
• Collaborative efforts and machine learning are key for future progress.
• The Newton International Fellowship supports the next generation of researchers in this field.