Vertical water entry of a cylinder considering wind and linearly sheared flow effect: A numerical investigation

Objects entering water is a complex multiphase flow event that exhibits nonlinear and transient characteristics. This study examines the impact cavities, multiphase flow characteristics, and motion behaviors of a cylinder during vertical water entry, considering different flow and entry velocities. A three-dimensional model was carried out using OpenFOAM® framework, taking into account the effects of wind and linearly sheared flow through newly customized initial and boundary conditions. The overset mesh technique was applied to capture the water entry trajectories of the moving cylinder. Numerical results for the cavity evolution and cylinder motion behaviors were validated against published laboratory tests. The cavity closure patterns were classified into four categories based on the evolution characteristics, which were found to be more complex than those observed under calm water and uniform current conditions. Furthermore, the rapid closure of the splash dome results in a unique cavity flow phenomenon, which creates a suction air channel. The velocities of the flow and water entry have a noticeable impact on the closure modes and time of the cavity. This, accordingly, affects the motion characteristics of the cylinder, as well as the evolution of the velocity field, pressure field, and vortex structures.