Real-time nonlinear cylinder wave force reconstruction in stochastic wave field considering second-order wave effects

Abstract This study provides a novel method for reconstructing real-time nonlinear wave forces on a large-scale circular cylinder by considering second-order wave effects. Potential theory is utilized for deriving the expression of wave forces with the measured data of wave elevation. Approximate expressions of quadratic transfer functions are built with undetermined coefficients, which are resolved by using the historical data of measured wave elevation. Two different algorithms, including fast Fourier transform (FFT) and recursive least squares (RLS), are adopted for real-time reconstruction. Hydrodynamic tests are conducted in the wave flume on a circular cylinder to examine the effectiveness of the nonlinear reconstruction method. Comparative results demonstrate that the accuracy of real-time reconstructed wave forces is significantly enhanced by the present method. The over-prediction errors at force crests and the under-prediction errors at force troughs have been reduced. Furthermore, comparative results show that the nonlinear method implemented by the FFT algorithm provides more accurate results, whereas the RLS algorithm is more time cost efficient.