CFD MODELLING BY DHI

Statement of Qualifications

CFD Modelling by DHI/hkh/hec-ybr/pot/ShortDescriptions 08/10

CFD MODELLING BY DHI

CFD Modelling by DHI

The capability of understanding and investigating
the motions of liquids and gasses in detail is of great
importance in a wide range of engineering disciplines and applications. Within recent years, the use
of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods
has expanded and today it is a widely used tool in
the engineering design and the analysis of fluid
dynamics.
DHI provides state-of-the-art CFD services within
this field. We have developed our own CFD code,
NS3, and apply this code together with the open
source system, OpenFOAM, in services to our
clients.
Clients are offered fully dynamic as well as steady
state CFD analyses of hydrodynamic performance of
internal and external flow problems. A focal point in
the development of our in-house code, NS3, has
been the development of an accurate description of
the free surface, which is encountered in many of
our projects.
Examples of validation of NS3 are provided in
Mayer et al. (1998), Nielsen & Mayer (2001),
Christensen (2006) and Bredmose et al. (2006),
Nielsen et al. (2008), and Christensen et al. (2009).

The theoretical basis of all CFD modelling is the

Navier-Stokes equations, which are applied to
describe single phase as well as multiphase flow
conditions. On top of the hydrodynamics foundation
we have developed advanced facilities, which
interact with the basic flow description. These
advanced facilities cover for example sediment
transport including a morphological model and
models for transport of conservative constituents.
DHI mainly applies CFD systems, where we have
full access to the source code, as this means that we
are able to adapt and extend the code on an as
needs basis project to project.
Characteristic of many of our CFD based services is
that we are applying a phased approach where the
CFD model is used in combination with other DHI
software products. Typically, our leading MIKE by
DHI modelling technology is applied in large-scale
models and the results of such coarse grid model are
used as boundary conditions for the refined CFD
analyses.
All CFD codes applied by DHI are able to run on
high performance computers in 64 bit Windows or
Linux environments.

DHI is extensively using advanced CFD modelling in R&D as well as a direct design tool for our clients in a wide range of
engineering disciplines covering internal flow and free surface flow challenges - often in combination or as a supplement to
physical model testing. The illustration shows the wave overtopping on a sea dike for an obliquely incident irregular wave train
during a possible future climate scenario.

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CFD MODELLING BY DHI

extreme wave loads, flow-induced vibrations of a

riser or operational performance of an industrial
process installation.
However, there is still a large number of engineering
design processes where physical modelling is the
only reliable and accurate optimisation tool, eg for
design of rubble mound breakwaters or structures
using concrete armour layers.

DHI provides state-of-the art CFD modelling. Example of

flow around a velocity cap, cooling water intake.

Features of a CFD Model

CFD modelling is today considered the most exact
numerical modelling toll for the analysis of flow
problems. It is recognized that the role of numerical
simulations in the engineering design process is
constantly expanding since the virtual test is
conducted under controlled environmental
conditions and the amount of information available
is orders of magnitude higher than any complex
physical model test. With the increasing
computational power, CFD modelling is often
considered as an alternative to physical laboratory
tests.

CFD results provide a detailed picture of the hydrodynamics. Example of pressure distribution on the wind
turbine foundation due to a breaking wave

A key feature of CFD modelling is that it provides a

complete insight into the physics of the investigated
problem. Results of the model are not limited to few
measuring points but present a complete picture of
the hydrodynamic performance. The complete
picture of the physics is highly valuable and can be
used to optimise designs, whether for example for
the design wind turbine foundations exposed to

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For design and optimisation of rubble mound breakwaters

physical model testing is the only reliable and accurate
tool.

Application Areas
DHI has developed and applied advanced CFD
simulation tools for more than two decades. Our
comprehensive record of experience covers areas
such as:
wave and current-induced design loads on
various type of structures
wave run-up and green water effects
wave overtopping
sedimentation in waves and currents
wave breaking and associated sediment transport
in the surf zone
self-induced vibrations of free spanning
pipelines in currents and wave-induced flow
free-surface waves around piers
flow over spillways
CSO structures
multi-phase flow problems
dam-breaks and other transient problems
moving bodies in flow fields
assessment of structural flow resistance
A number of selected projects where we applied
CFD are illustrated and discussed in the following.

CFD MODELLING BY DHI

Wave Run-up on a Wind Turbine Foundation

During recent years, numerous offshore wind farms

have been constructed. One of these is located at
Horns Rev, a reef in the Danish sector of the North
Sea. Observations and measurements from the wind
farm have clearly shown that the wave run-up on the
turbine tower shaft can be quite significant, and the
objective of the project was to evaluate the impact of
wave run-up under extreme wave conditions.
Especially the state of breaking may have a large
influence on the run-up.
The in-house CFD software, NS3, was applied to
study the run-up on the structure for a number of
layouts.

CFD simulation of a large labyrinth weir

The labyrinth weir was modelled in DHIs threedimensional CFD model, NS3. Two sections of the
weir were included in the set-up. The approach flow
upstream of the dam/weir was modelled by the
MIKE 21 HD model and the results of the MIKE 21
model were applied as boundary conditions for the
CFD model.

CFD simulation of wave run-up on offshore wind turbine.

The scour protection enhances the wave run-up.

The CFD simulations revealed enhanced run-up,

especially for short waves. The run-up was found to
be much larger than found from conventional
potential diffraction theories.
Labyrinth Weir

One of the main objectives of this study was to

investigate the performance of a proposed labyrinth
weir connected to a spillway on a planned dam in
Ecuador. The space available for a weir at the site
was limited, and in order to increase the flow
capacity a labyrinth weir was applied. The purpose
of the model was to verify whether the theoretical
expression developed by Tullis is applicable for the
weir. The formula developed by Tullis is a semiempirical model developed on the basis of a large
series of model tests.

Free surface flow over one tooth of the labyrinth weir

CFD simulation results are very close to the Tullis

expression and demonstrated that this formula is
valid and applicable for the actual weir.

Comparison of the CFD simulated flow over one tooth of

the labyrinth weir with theoretical formula developed by
Tullis.

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CFD MODELLING BY DHI

CFD Modelling of Artificial Surfing Reefs

Coupling of MIKE 21 BW and NS3

During the last decade there has been a growing

interest in multipurpose reefs as a solution to provide
coastal protection while also creating favourable
surfing conditions at the same time. Assessing the
surfing quality of a submerged reef requires highly
detailed information on the wave breaking
characteristics such as the shape of the overturning
wave and the propagation velocity of the moving
breakpoint. In addition the powerful and highly nonuniform wave breaking conditions across the reef
induce strong return currents and areas of high local
velocities, both of which strongly affect the wave
breaking characteristics and represents crucial reef
design parameters, when assessing structural
stability, induced erosion issues and adjacent beach
safety.

Boussinesq wave models have been increasingly

popular for coastal engineering applications during
the last decade, with considerable improvement of
linear and non-linear accuracy. Overturning waves,
splash zone dynamics and extreme run-up on
structures, however, are beyond the capabilities of
this model class. A reliable description of such
phenomena requires a more flexible treatment of the
free surface such as a fully non-linear Navier-Stokes
solver with VOF (Volume of Fluid).

NS3 can be coupled with DHIs MIKE 21 BW wave

model to provide the 3D offshore boundary
conditions hence effectively decreasing the
necessary NS3 model domain size and allowing the
representation of regional effects such as nonuniform refraction around adjacent headlands and
offshore focusing generated by offshore
bathymetrical features.

DHIs MIKE 21 BW is used for calculation of the far-field

waves for offshore wind farms and other offshore
renewable systems

In Christensen et al (2009), the Boussinesq model is

used for the far-field waves, while the inner region
surrounding the structure is modelled by the NavierStokes solver. The inner solution handles wave
breaking as well as the loads on the structure. The
combined model is applied to wave loads on
offshore wind turbine foundations.

Visual comparison between model results and camcorder

recordings of the wave breaking characteristics at three
different locations along the reef

The NS3 model was used to reproduce the wave

transformation processes captured in a large-scale
physical model of an artificial surfing reef presented
in Henriquez (2004). Calculations of the wave
breaking height and wave pealing velocity along the
reef were in excellent agreement with physical
model measurements. A visual comparison between
the numerical model predictions and physical model
video records of the surfing wave shape and
breaking characteristics also demonstrated excellent
agreement.

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Wave pressure and flow field around a gravity based

foundation of an offshore wind turbine.

The transfer of waves from the Boussinesq model to

the Navier-Stokes solver requires specification of the
free surface elevation and the velocity field over the
entire coupling boundary.

CFD MODELLING BY DHI

Numerical Simulation), but such an approach would

require a very detailed computational mesh and very
fine temporal discretisation. From a practical point,
this is only possible for low Reynolds numbers.

Sequence of horizontal force and overturning moment

from the irregular waves: - - Wheeler stretching + Morison
equation, ----- BW+ Morison, ____CFD

In many applications, the main interest is to gain

information about the average performance of the
turbulent flow. This is accomplished by averaging
the basic equations to filter out the many scales of
the turbulent flow and selecting a turbulent closure
model that models the effect of turbulence on the
mean flow.
A common averaging method is the ensemble
averaging leading to the Reynolds Average NavierStokes equations (RANS):

u i
xi

u i u j
u i
p

g i

t
x j
xi

x i
Comparison of maximum overturning moments found from
zero-crossing analyses.

Model Equations
The basic equations of all CFD models are the threedimensional Navier-Stokes equations.
The Navier-Stokes equations for a one phase
incompressible flow are given by:
u i
xi

u i u j
u i
p

g i

t
x j
xi

x i

u i u j

x j xi

u
( ) u i j
t

x j xi

where ui are the three average velocity components,

g the gravitational acceleration, p the average
pressure, and t the dynamical eddy viscosity.
The result of this approach is that in the momentum
equation averaged scales appear as the Reynolds
stress tensor. The eddy viscosity hypothesis relates
the turbulent stresses to the velocity gradients of the
mean flow. The modelling is then reduced to the
specification of the eddy or turbulent viscosity
(exchange coefficient for momentum) in terms of the
local turbulence in the flow. Several different
models of the turbulent viscosity have been
developed.

Where ui are the three velocity components, g the

gravitational acceleration, p the pressure, the fluid
density, and the dynamical viscosity. The first of
two equations is the continuity equation, while the
second equation is the momentum equation.
Most flows encountered in engineering practice are
turbulent. In principle the Navier-Stokes equation
can be applied directly on a turbulent flow (Direct

RANS model of the turbulent energy in an injector pump

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CFD MODELLING BY DHI

The most common models relate the eddy viscosity

to two scalars which are representative of the
turbulence in the flow. These scalars are normally
the turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation or
specific dissipation. For each of the additional two
scalars, an additional transport equation is solved in
which further modelling assumptions are
incorporated.
The k- model is an example of a two-equation
model. This model has been applied with success in
many different simulations, but it has some
disadvantages. The most serious one is perhaps the
lack of sensitivity to adverse pressure gradients.

Flow with a free surface is a class of flows with

moving boundaries. The position of the boundary is
only known initially, and the solution must track the
position of the free surface. In NS3, tracking of the
surface is based on the VOF method. The position of
the free surface is calculated by solving a transport
equation of the void fraction, f:
( )
+
=0

Another two-equation model is the k- model. This

model performs better than the k- model under
adverse pressure gradient conditions, but the model
depends on the free stream values that are specified
for the specific turbulent dissipation rate, .
Another method is the Shear Stress Transport (SST)
k- model, which is a conglomeration of the k- and
k- model. In this model, the k- model is applied
in the near wall region, while the k- model is
applied in the far-field.
Turbulent flows contain typically a wide range of
time and length scales. The turbulent large-scale
motions contain generally much more energy than
the small scales, which are utilised in the so-called
Large Eddy Simulation method (LES). In the LES
method, the small-scale turbulence is filtered out of
the Navier-Stokes equation, and a set of equations
which is very similar to the Reynolds Average
Navier-Stokes equations is obtained. Closure of the
LES model requires a model of the sub-grid scale
Reynolds Stress. Details of the LES model are for
example given in Christensen (2006).
At the boundaries, appropriate conditions for the
flow field as well as the variables of the turbulence
model must be specified. Simulation of the boundary
layer requires a very fine mesh resolution and this
together with the fact that many turbulence models
are not able to predict flow in the boundary layer
correctly causes that a wall function is often applied
in this zone. With the wall function approach, flow
and turbulence in the boundary layer are predicted
on the basis of assumptions, for example a
logarithmic velocity profile, and the Navier-Stokes
equation together with the turbulence model are
matched to the wall function a certain distance above
the fixed boundary.

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F=0.5 track the free surface in a CFD model of supercritical flow in a river

where f=1 in the fluid and f=0 in the air. The

position of the free surface is defined by f=0.5. The
kinematic and dynamic boundary conditions are
imposed along the free surface. The kinematic
condition constraints fluid particles at the free
surface to follow the local fluid velocity, and the
dynamic boundary condition expresses the
equilibrium of stresses across the free surface.
In general, DNS and LES require a fine resolution
and the CPU-time for such calculations is rather
excessive. This in combination with the fact that
information about average performance of the
turbulent flow is often adequate, causes that the
RANS approach is applied in most applications.

Numerical Methods
The numerical schemes of the CFD solvers are based
on the finite volume approach. NS3 requires
discretisation of domain in a structured multi-block
mesh, while OpenFOAM supports unstructured as
well as structured mesh.
Space Integration

The spatial domain is discretised by subdivision of

the continuum into non-overlapping cells. Each cell
is bounded by a set of flat faces, and each face is
shared with only one neighbouring cell. Flow

CFD MODELLING BY DHI

variables, ui and p, are cell-centred. The Finite

Volume method is based on the Navier-Stokes
equations in an integral form, where the integration
is carried over each cell volume:
t t

u i
dvdt 0

xi

t t

t t

u i u j
u i
dv
dvdt
g i dv dt

t
x j

t
t
t t
t t
p
u i u j

dv
dt

dvdt

x j xi
xi

x
i

t
t

Model Input
The necessary input data to run a CFD model can be
derived into the following groups:

Domain and time parameters

- Computational grid
- Simulation length and time steps

Equations, discretisation and solutions technique

- Turbulence model
- Numerical scheme
- Wall function
- Transport models (sediment)
- Solution techniques

Initial conditions
- Cold start (initial values of flow variables)
- Hot start

Parameters
- Models parameters (for example turbulence
model parameters)
- Body forces

Boundary conditions
- External domain boundary conditions
(inflow, outflow, symmetry, periodic)
- Fixed wall boundary conditions

Using the Gauss theorem on these equations results

in relation between the cell and face-centred values
of ui and p. Finally, applying differencing schemes
to express the face-centred values as a function of
the variables in the neighbouring cells results in a
large set of equations, which express the relation
between p and ui throughout the domain.

Computational mesh of an ejector pump

Time Integration

The time integration is based on a fractional step

approach. Firstly, a propagation step is performed
calculating an approximation solution to the velocity
field, ui, by solving the momentum equation.
Secondly, applying the continuity equation on the
approximated velocity field results in an equation
which is used to predict the pressure fields new time
step and the new pressure field is applied to correct
the velocity field.
The propagation in time can be carried out by
different schemes such as an implicit Euler scheme,
explicit Euler scheme, etc.

Providing a CFD model with a suitable grid is

essential for obtaining reliable results from the
model. Setting up the mesh includes appropriate
selection of the flow domain, adequate model
resolution and specification of boundary conditions.
It is often possible to take advantage of symmetrical
conditions and hereby reduce the computational
domain.
Selection of appropriate numerical schemes is an
important part of the model set-up. Selection of these
schemes is often a trade off between stability
considerations versus accuracy. For example an
upwind scheme is typically more stable than a
central difference scheme but, on the other hand,
anupwind scheme tends to introduce numerical
diffusion in the solution.
Selection of an appropriate turbulence model is also
important. The selected model must be able to catch
important features of the flow.

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CFD MODELLING BY DHI

Model Output
At each mesh point and for each time step, the
following type of input is saved in an NS3
simulation:
Velocities
Pressure
Turbulence model variables
Effective viscosity
F (void fraction)

of the impact of a fixed link between Denmark and

Germany.

Results of a CFD simulation can be presented in

different ways such as:
Contour plots
Vector plots
Tracer plots
Animations
Output from CFD simulations is often postprocessed using different tools. The post-processing
includes several various analysis tools such as
integration of pressure fields over surfaces in order
to calculate forces and momentum, creations of time
series plots of a flow variable at a single point,
integration of fluxes over surfaces in times, etc.

Validation
The NS3 model has successfully been applied to a
number of basic test cases where the results can be
compared with analytical solutions, experimental
tests or information from literature. These tests cover
basic hydraulic aspects such as:
Standing waves
Travelling waves
Shoaling
Wave-current interactions
Simulation of boundary layer flow
Details of the above can be obtained from the
references listed in the section Reference on Basic
Tests.

Use of Purpose-built Software Tools

based on the Open-source Library,
OpenFOAM
The OpenFOAM system has been validated in
numerous PhD theses and papers for a range of
physical models and cases. This includes anything
from fluid flow, free surface, multi-phase,
DNS/LES, turbulence modelling to stress analysis,
and solid-fluid interaction. An example of the use at
DHI is given below. It shows the generation of an
internal wave in a fluid with varying salinity. The
analysis is a part of hydrographic services for
Femern Blt A/S in the environmental investigation

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Internal wave between layers with different salinity

generated by the presence of a future bridge pier.

References
Bredmose, H, Skourup, J, Hansen, EA, Christensen,
ED, Pedersen, LM, and Mitzlaft, A (2006):
Numerical reproduction of extreme wave loads on a
gravity wind turbine foundation. Proc. of OMAE
25th Int. Conf. on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic
Eng., 4-9 June 2006, Hamburg, Germany.
Buxbom, IP, Fredse, J, Sumer, BM, Conley, DC,
and Christensen, ED (2003): Large eddy simulation
of turbulent wave boundary layer subject to constant
ventilation. In Coastal Sediments 03, 18-23 May
2003. Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach,
Florida, USA.
Christensen, ED, Bredmose, H, and Hansen, EA
(2009): Transfer of Boussinesq waves to a NavierStokes solver. Application to wave loads on an
offshore wind turbine foundation. In Proceedings of
the ASME 28th International Conference on Offshore
Mechanics and Arctic Engineering (10 pages).
Honolulu, Hawaii: ASME.
Christensen, ED (2006): Large eddy simulation of
spilling and plunging breakers, Coastal
Engineering, Volume 53, Issues 5-6, April 2006,
Pages 463-485.
Christensen, ED, Bredmose, H, and Hansen, EA
(2005a): Extreme wave forces and wave run-up on
offshore wind-turbine foundations, In Proc. of
Copenhagen Offshore Wind Conference, 10 pages.

CFD MODELLING BY DHI

Christensen, ED, and Hansen, EA (2005b):

Extreme wave run-up on offshore wind-turbine
foundations, In Proc. of Int. Conf. on
Computational Methods in Marine Engineering
(MARINE 2005), Oslo, Norway, 27-29 June 2005,
pp 293-302.
Christensen, ED, Zanuttigh, B and Zyserman, J
(2003): Validation of numerical models against
laboratory measurements of waves and currents
around low-crested structures. In Coastal Structures
03, 26-29 August 2003, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Kawamura T, Mayer, S, Garapon, A, Srensen, LS

(2001): Large Eddy Simulation of the Flow past a
free-surface piercing circular Cylinder. In:
Transactions of the ASME. Journal of Fluids
Engineering, Vol 124, Issue 1, pp 91-101.
Mayer, S, Nielsen, KB, and Hansen, EA (2005):
Numerical prediction of wave impact loads on
multiple rectangular beams, Coastal Engineering
Journal, Vol 45, No 1, pp 41-65.

Christensen, ED, D-J Waltra and N Emerat (2002):

Vertical variation of the flow across the surf zone,
Coastal Engineering, Vol 45, No 3-4, pp 169-198.

Mayer, S, Garapon, A and Srensen, LS (1998):

A fractional step method for unsteady free-surface
flow with application to non-linear wave dynamics.
Intl. Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids,
Vol 28, No 2, pp 293-315.

Christensen, ED, Jensen, JH, and Mayer, S (2000):

Sediment transport under breaking waves. Proc.
27th, ICCE00, Sydney, Australia.

Nielsen, KB, and Mayer, S (2004): Numerical

prediction of green water incidents, Ocean
Engineering, Vol 31, pp 363-399.

Emarat, N, Christensen, ED, Forehand, DIM and

Mayer, S (2000): "A study of plunging breaker
mechanics by PIV measurements and a NavierStokes solver", In Proc. of the 27th Int. Conf. Coastal
Eng., ASCE, Vol 1, pp 891-901, Sydney, Australia.

Nielsen KB and Mayer, S (2001a): VOF

simulations of green water load problems. 4th
Numerical Towing Tank Symposium, September
2001, Hamburg, Germany.

Hansen, EA and Meyer, S (2001): A numerical

model for current-induced vibrations of multiple
risers. In Proc. of the 20th Conference on Offshore
Mechanics and Artic Engineering, OMAE01, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil.
Hansen, EA, Bryndum, M, Mrk, K, Verley, R,
Sortland, L, and Nes, H: Vibrations of a free
spanning pipeline located in the vicinity of a trench.
In Proc. of the 20th Conference on Offshore
Mechanics and Artic Engineering, OMAE01, Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nielsen, KB, Mayer, S (2001b): Numerical

simulation of tank sloshing, SRI-TUHH miniWorkshop on Numerical Simulation of Two-Phase
Flows, Tokyo, Japan.
Tullis, JP, Amanian, N, and Waldron, D (1995):
Design of labyrinth spillways, Journal of
Hydraulic Engineering, Vol 121, No 3, pp 247-255.

Jensen, JH and Fredse, J (2001): Sediment

transport and Backfilling of Trenches in oscillatory
Flow. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and
Ocean Engineering, ASCE, Sep-Oct 2001, pp 272281.
Jensen, JH, Madsen, E, and Fredse, J (1999):
Oblique flow over dredged channels. II: Sediment
Transport and Morphology. J. Hyd. Engrg, ASCE,
125(11), pp 1190-1198.
Jensen, JH, Madsen, E, and Fredse, J (1999a):
Oblique flow over dredged channels. Part I: Flow
Description. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering,
ASCE, 125(11), pp 1181-1189.

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Denmark
E-mail:
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