Development of WEC Design Loads: A Comparison of Numerical and Experimental Approaches: Preprint

The development of accurate design loads is a critical part of the design of a wave energy converter (WEC). In this paper, we evaluate the impact of different approaches to determine extreme wave loading on the Triton WEC using a combination of mid-fidelity and highfidelity numerical modeling tools, complemented by scaled physical model tests. The mid-fidelity approach used is a time-domain model based on linearized potential flow hydrodynamics, whereas the high-fidelity modeling tool is an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. A 1:30-scale physical model of the Triton WEC was tested at the Oregon State University Large Wave Flume. A comparison will be presented between the design loads predicted by the mid-fidelity model, the CFD model, and the physical model tests, and suggestions for best practices will be offered.