Hydroelastic

Hydroelastic refers to the study of the interaction between water and elastic structures, where the structure deforms in response to hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads. It sits at the intersection of fluid mechanics and solid mechanics, combining hydrodynamic theories (often potential flow or Navier-Stokes) with elasticity theory to model how flexible bodies respond to waves and flows. In the simplest form, linear hydroelastic theory assumes small deformations of thin-walled shells or plates and uses coupled equations: the fluid pressure on the deformable surface acts as a boundary load for the structural equations, while the deformed shape modifies the fluid domain and pressure distribution.

Modeling approaches range from analytical linear hydroelastic solutions to fully coupled, nonlinear fluid-structure interaction (FSI) solvers. Numerical methods include boundary element/finite element coupling, partitioned or monolithic schemes, and sometimes reduced-order models. Important challenges include capturing large body motions, complex geometries, added mass effects, damping, and ensuring stability of the coupling.

Applications are common in naval architecture and offshore engineering: flexible ship hulls and decks subjected to waves, floating platforms and moorings with elastic components, and membrane-type wave energy converters where deformation affects hydrodynamics. In research, hydroelastic analysis helps predict hull pressures, structural stresses, dynamic response, and survivability in waves, and informs design choices to reduce fatigue and improve reliability.

Hydroelasticity is a specialized area within fluid-structure interaction. It complements fully rigid-body FSI by incorporating elastic deformation, enabling more accurate predictions for structures that cannot be approximated as rigid in wave environments.