A numerical method for potential flows with a free surface (Q793595)

A numerical procedure is described for unsteady potential flows with a free surface and solid boundaries. At any given time, the velocity potential is calculated by solving Laplace's equation numerically over the whole flow. This solution is used to advance the position of the free surface over one time step, and to calculate the velocity potential at the new position of the free surface. Laplace's equation is then solved again over the whole flow, and the procedure repeated. Two examples are presented, one of Rayleigh-Taylor instability, and the other of discharge from a submerged pipe.