LandR – A zonal CFD approach for fully nonlinear simulations of two vessels in Launch and Recovery operations

The L&R project is a close collaboration between four universities (Plymouth University - PU, University of Oxford, The Manchester Metropolitan University - MMU, City University London - City) working together to combine and apply their expertise to different aspects of the problem. The aim of the proposed project is to develop an accurate and efficient numerical model that can be applied routinely for the analysis of the motion and loadings of two bodies in close proximity with or without physical connection in high sea-states. The efficiency of the code will be achieved firstly by adopting a zonal approach, in which an integrated NWT employing a hierarchy of flow models from FNPT to incompressible/compressible NS equations for the specific flow problem will be developed. Secondly, a massively parallel implementation that targets emerging high performance computing architectures will be developed. As an integral part of the project a complementary experimental programme will be conducted in the COAST laboratory at PU, providing improved understanding of the underlying wave and body dynamics, and validating the new numerical model.