A study of extreme water waves using a hierarchy of models based on potential-flow theory (Q6593229)

The paper addresses the investigation of extreme water waves generated by the interaction of solitons using a variety of modelling techniques grounded in potential-flow theory.\N\NThe scientific problem explored in this paper revolves around the understanding of extreme water waves, or rogue waves, which can cause severe damage due to their unpredictable nature and large amplitude. These waves are challenging to model and predict due to their infrequent occurrence and complex interactions with environmental factors. The study specifically focuses on the formation and amplification of such waves resulting from the interaction of three line-solitons, which are modelled using a hierarchy of water-wave equations.\N\NThe methods employed in the paper involve a rigorous mathematical framework, starting with the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation (KPE) for the analytical derivation of exact three-soliton solutions. The KPE is used to establish a maximum amplification factor for soliton interactions. This initial analytical framework is expanded upon by introducing two additional numerical models: the Benney-Luke equations (BLE) and the potential-flow equations (PFE). These models allow for the examination of the interactions under more complex and realistic conditions, incorporating factors such as nonlinearity and dispersion. The authors use a variational principle approach to numerically implement these models within the finite element environment *Firedrake*, a powerful computational tool for solving partial differential equations. Firedrake is employed to automate the derivation of weak formulations from the time-discretised variational principles, providing both higher-order spatial discretisation and accuracy in simulating the wave dynamics.\N\NThe main findings of the manuscript reveal that the maximum amplification factor for the interaction of three solitons, under idealised conditions in the KPE framework, can reach a ninefold value. However, in the more realistic BLE and PFE models, the amplification is observed to fall within the range of approximately 7.6 to 9.0, depending on the parameters and numerical resolution. These results suggest that the amplification of water waves due to soliton interactions is subject to significant modulation by dispersive and nonlinear effects, which are better captured by the more advanced models. Additionally, the authors demonstrate that the use of the variational principle in Firedrake allows for a stable and accurate simulation of these interactions, achieving high degrees of freedom and ensuring energy conservation in the numerical methods.\N\NThe significance of this research lies in its contribution to the understanding of rogue waves and their formation mechanisms. By utilising a hierarchical approach, the study not only advances theoretical knowledge about soliton interactions but also provides a robust computational framework for modelling such waves in real-world conditions. This work has potential applications in maritime engineering, particularly in the design of structures resilient to rogue wave impacts, and in improving the predictive capabilities of ocean wave models.\N\NThe combination of analytical, numerical, and computational techniques presented in this manuscript makes a valuable contribution to the field of fluid dynamics, particularly in the study of extreme wave phenomena.