Hydrodynamic loads during water impact of three-dimensional solids: Modelling and experiments

The problem of three-dimensional liquid–solid impact is considered. A numerical method has been developed to predict the hydrodynamic loads acting on the entering body. The proposed approach is based on the Wagner theory and the boundary element method. In order to validate the numerical simulation, an original experimental study has been performed. It consists of a series of impact tests carried out with a hydraulic machine. Three specimens have been tested: an elliptic paraboloid, a wedge with conical ends and a square pyramid. An excellent agreement between theory and experiments has been observed.