Wave loads on a navigation lock sliding gate: Non-linear effects

The wave loads on a navigation lock gate provided with an opening in the ballast tank are analyzed using a mathematical model based on the linear wave theory and the numerical integration of the Navier-Stokes Equation. The analysis focuses on the evaluation of the non-linear effect influence on the vertical load on the gate. It is shown that the numerical and analytical models agree on the identification of the value of the wave number at which the maximum value of the dimensionless vertical force on the gate is detected. However the analytical model overestimates the peak value of the vertical load with respect to the CFD simulation. To fill this gap, in this paper an easy to use procedure is developed which allows to correct the results of the analytical model.