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Flow characteristics in the vicinity of a bottom-sitting wave energy converter are important for understanding the wave loading on and the local scour around the structure. Based on three-dimensional numerical simulation results, key features of the vortex flow in the vicinity of a circular oscillating water column (OWC) supported by a C-shaped structure are discussed, including vortices shed from the lower tip of the OWC chamber and the two edges of the C-shaped support structure. Numerical results reveal a time-mean flow pattern in the vicinity of the C-shaped structure. There is a strong connection between the near-field flow pattern and the local morphological change at the C-shaped support structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Water waves induce a slow drift of an object floating on the water surface. In this study, we examined, by a series of laboratory experiments, the drift motion of small rigid floating objects driven by regular waves in deep water. Different shapes of planar objects, including square, circular and elliptical, were investigated for two different submergences, and their drift motions in waves were determined using an infrared motion monitoring system. The corresponding measurements enabled the quantification of the drift characteristics with respect to the wave characteristics and object shapes. Numerical simulations based on an existing theory were presented and comparisons between the experimental data and the predictions by the existing theory were performed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]