Nonlinear wave generation using a heaving wedge

This paper investigates the optimization of second-order control signals required to produce stable non-linear, deep-water waves using a wedge-shaped, plunger-type wave generator. Both numerical and experimental methods are utilized. A fully non-linear and dispersive potential flow (FNPF) solver developed at DTU is used for the numerical work, following improvements that reduce reflection to 1%. The numerical solver is validated against theoretical and experimental data. A defect correction optimization scheme is employed, resulting in optimized control signals for non-dimensional wave numbers of 2.04-8.17 and steepness of 3-7%. These control signals produce waves that are within 2% of stream function theory solutions for the fundamental harmonic component, and within 10% for the second-order harmonic component. The results demonstrate both the applicability of this optimization procedure and the suitability of a heaving wedge for generating stable non-linear deep-water waves.