The paper discusses the issues related to modeling of hydrodynamic flow induced by simultaneous propagation of waves and current in test tank under shallow water conditions. For this purpose the paper considers the transformation of wave spectral density in presence of opposite and following currents under shallow-water conditions using well-known algorithms. The paper presents and analyses the results of experimental studies on hydrodynamic loads induced by waves and current on fixed structures of various architecture.
The modeling of hydrodynamic flow induced by simultaneous propagation of waves and current in test tanks has always been considered as a challenging task. This problem is addressed by different methods. Some test tanks are capable to physically model a waveinduced flow which is superimposed with a constant-velocity fluid flow. The equipment and studies carried out in such test tanks are rather costly. Moreover, the current speed in this case is quite limited, and the current is generated only in one direction. The most common method for simultaneous modelling of wave and current effects on test object is a reversed motion when the object is moved against waves. However, this method often fails to realistically reproduce the true physical pattern of the interactions under consideration. The modelling technique discussed in this paper is based on the transformation of variations in wave ordinates generated in test tank. The studies performed by a number of authors have made it possible to suggest an algorithm for transformation of surface wave density due to constant current in deep water. This paper is using this algorithm as a basis for treating the transformation of wave density in shallow water By way of example the authors present and analyse the results of experimental hydrodynamic load studies for a fixed platform subject to simultaneous effect of irregular waves and current.
