Overset method is validated for different free surface flow applications to demonstrate its capabilities and benefits over traditional dynamic mesh approach. An overset mesh consists of a set of overlapping component meshes, which allows complex geometries to mesh with lesser effort. Interpolation methods are enforced at internal boundaries to ensure a continuous solution in overlapping component zones. Overset methodology is not perfectly mass conservative by its design. Present study in this regard, demonstrates the benefit of higher order interpolation method on simulation accuracy and mass conservation. The simulation results for various case studies involving static and moving overset meshes are validated against analytical, experimental and equivalent non-overset mesh results using ANSYS Fluent.

Finite volume method (FVM) with pressure based coupled solver is used to solve Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations. Free surface flow is modeled using Volume of Fluid Method (VOF) which capture interfaces between immiscible fluids. Pseudo-transient method is adopted for steady state applications to get better robustness. A pure advection of slotted circle is simulated where its revolution is forced along the static overlapping zone, final shape and position is compared with initial state after one revolution. A non-linear Stokes wave with high steepness is propagated in a numerical wave tank which contains multiple static overlapping zones in the vicinity of free surface, where simulation results of free surface and velocity profiles are verified against analytical profiles. Flow over a bump for subcritical to subcritical and subcritical to supercritical regimes are verified against analytical results. Flow over a submerged hydrofoil using static overset mesh is validated against experimental result for free surface profile. A rotating gear case involving moving overset mesh is compared with sliding mesh results for free surface and pressure profiles. A case involving transient heave oscillation of floating cylinder is validated with theoretical, experimental and equivalent dynamic mesh results.

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