Exploring Wave-Vegetation Interaction At Blade Scale: A Comprehensive Analysis Of A Flexible Cylinder Through Experimental Data And A Direct Numerical Simulation

Abstract

Aquatic vegetation in the littoral zone, particularly seagrass, is gaining increasing recognition for its net positive impact on the hosting environment. This recognition is rooted in its capacity to absorb wave energy, regulate water flow, and manage nutrient levels, sedimentation and accretion. Thus, there is a growing interest in integrating seagrass as a key component of a comprehensive climate-conscious strategy (Ondiviela et al., 2014). An effective approach to quantify the positive potential of seagrasses in altering coastal wave dynamics is by using numerical models. These numerical models operate at various spatio- temporal scales, ranging from large domains and multiple years to just a few regular waves in high resolution CFD numerical simulations. Zeller et al. (2014) classified these models, operating at different scales into three categories, each addressing the wave-vegetation interaction at a distinct scale: (1) blade scale, (2) meadow scale, and (3) ecosystem scale. The aim of the present study is to investigate the interaction between waves and vegetation at the blade scale. The primary objectives are two: first, to introduce a direct numerical technique that involves a two-way coupling between a fluid solver and a structural solver, and second, to present novel experimental data for a single flexible cylinder (Reis, 2022) serving as validation for the present (and future) numerical model(s).