Analytical models of water impact

Abstract

Mathematical models for the prediction of the hydrodynamic pressure distribution and the force on a body entering liquid are investigated. Particular attention is paid to analytical models which are based on the velocity potential given by the classical Wagner theory. Formal use of the Wagner theory provides the loads on an entering body, which are higher than the measured ones. To improve the predictions, the higher order terms in the Bernoulli equation are taken into account within the generalized Wagner model and the Logvinovich model. It is shown that the Logvinovich model corresponds better to the experimental data than the generalized Wagner model. A rational derivation of the Logvinovich model is given in the paper for the two-dimensional case. The analytical models are tested against both numerical and experimental results.