A high-order polynomial-corrected shifted boundary method for simulating fully nonlinear water waves
Abstract
We present a novel unfitted computational framework for simulating fully nonlinear potential flow-based water waves. Focusing on wave propagation, we describe the core methodology, which involves a high-order polynomial-corrected shifted-boundary approximation on unfitted spectral elements. This approach allows for the simulation of a curved, highly time-dependent (moving and deforming) free surface affected by bathymetric changes. All that on a simple Cartesian background mesh without re-meshing or further approximations of non-affine geometric features. In addition, we highlight the importance of proper gradient recovery using a polynomial-preserving technique to accurately capture the vertical free-surface velocity. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a high-order convergent numerical scheme capable of simulating highly nonlinear waves over long periods. This is achieved through an arbitrary-order finite-difference approximation of the free surface combined with added hyperviscosity for numerical stability. We present verification and validation test cases for wave propagation in both periodic and finite domains. Emphasis is placed on convergence studies, the justification for using high-order approximations, the importance of optimal gradient recovery, long-time simulation of highly nonlinear waves, and nonlinear wave interactions with both affine and curved bathymetry changes, as well as with vertical walls, for highly nonlinear stream function waves and high-amplitude solitons. The novel computational model offers a comprehensive, all-in-one framework for simulating ocean waves and their interactions with offshore structures. It provides significant geometric flexibility, enabling boundaries such as the free surface to move and deform over time without the need to re-mesh a boundary-fitted mesh.
Related
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BibTeX
@misc{visbech2026highorder,
title = {{A high-order polynomial-corrected shifted boundary method for simulating fully nonlinear water waves}},
author = {Jens Visbech and Allan P. Engsig-Karup and Harry B. Bingham and Mario Ricchiuto},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2608.28123},
eprint = {2608.28123},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.28123},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - A high-order polynomial-corrected shifted boundary method for simulating fully nonlinear water waves
AU - Jens Visbech
AU - Allan P. Engsig-Karup
AU - Harry B. Bingham
AU - Mario Ricchiuto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/28
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2608.28123
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.28123
AB - We present a novel unfitted computational framework for simulating fully nonlinear potential flow-based water waves. Focusing on wave propagation, we describe the core methodology, which involves a high-order polynomial-corrected shifted-boundary approximation on unfitted spectral elements. This approach allows for the simulation of a curved, highly time-dependent (moving and deforming) free surface affected by bathymetric changes. All that on a simple Cartesian background mesh without re-meshing or further approximations of non-affine geometric features. In addition, we highlight the importance of proper gradient recovery using a polynomial-preserving technique to accurately capture the vertical free-surface velocity. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a high-order convergent numerical scheme capable of simulating highly nonlinear waves over long periods. This is achieved through an arbitrary-order finite-difference approximation of the free surface combined with added hyperviscosity for numerical stability. We present verification and validation test cases for wave propagation in both periodic and finite domains. Emphasis is placed on convergence studies, the justification for using high-order approximations, the importance of optimal gradient recovery, long-time simulation of highly nonlinear waves, and nonlinear wave interactions with both affine and curved bathymetry changes, as well as with vertical walls, for highly nonlinear stream function waves and high-amplitude solitons. The novel computational model offers a comprehensive, all-in-one framework for simulating ocean waves and their interactions with offshore structures. It provides significant geometric flexibility, enabling boundaries such as the free surface to move and deform over time without the need to re-mesh a boundary-fitted mesh.
ER -