SPH-FV Coupling for solving 3D free-surface flows

Recently, an algorithm for coupling a Finite Volume(FV) method, that discretize the Navier-Stokes equations on blockstructured Eulerian grids, with the weakly-compressible SPH hasbeen presented. This coupling takes advantage of the SPH methodto discretize flow regions close to free-surfaces and a FiniteVolume method to resolve the bulk flow and the wall regionswhere grid stretching can be favourably used. The informationexchange between the two numerical schemes is establishedthrough overlapping zones. In the present work such a couplingparadigm is extended to the 3D framework. In particular, theextension of the algorithms for handling particle creation/deletionare described and issues related to free-surface intersectionwith each sub-domain boundary are addressed. Efficiency andaccuracy achieved by the coupled solver are tested on challengingproblems involving large free surface deformations and vorticitygeneration, such as the flow past a cylinder below a free surfaceand the breaking wave generated by a ship bow in forwardmotion.