Work

HOS-NWT: an open-source numerical wave tank based on the High-Order Spectral method

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The open-source release of the HOS-NWT code is reported. This software is dedicated to the modelling of wave tank facilities at use in ocean engineering, leading to a so-called Numerical Wave Tank (NWT). The present numerical model is based on a pseudo-spectral approach, known as the High-Order Spectral (HOS) method, which guarantees both high accuracy and computational efficiency. The HOS-NWT code enables the reproduction of all the features of an experimental wave tank, including the presence of a wave maker to generate waves, an absorbing beach to dissipate the waves near the opposite wall, and perfectly reflective side walls. This release also includes recent developments that allow for the modelling of wave-breaking and the parallelization of the code through MPI. HOS-NWT v2.1 is released as open-source, available from GitLab , developed and distributed under the terms of GNU General Public License (GPLv3). Along with the source code, a detailed HTML documentation is available. Program Title: HOS-NWT CPC Library link to program files: https://doi.org/10.17632/s8t5w95wz3.1 Developer’s repository link: https://gitlab.com/lheea/HOS-NWT Licensing provisions: GPLv3 Programming language: Fortran Nature of problem: HOS-NWT has been developed to model the generation and propagation of nonlinear waves in a wave tank environment. The numerical model replicates the geometry of an experimental wave tank (wave maker, flat bottom, perfectly reflective side walls) and allows for the generation of different conditions: regular waves, irregular sea states both long- or short-crested, or arbitrary given a provided wave maker motion. Solution method: HOS-NWT provides an implementation of the High-Order Spectral (HOS) method, which solves the problem formulated on the free surface by means of a pseudo-spectral method. The original HOS scheme is modified to account for the specificities of a wave tank (geometry, initial conditions). Time integration uses an adaptative Runge-Kutta 4(5) scheme with an analytical integration of the linear part of the driving equations. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features : In short-crested seas, the individual treatment of wave-breaking events with the Barthelemy-Tian model [1,2] is not yet available. The simulation of directional sea states is consequently limited to non-breaking conditions with this breaking model. [1] B.R. Seiffert, G. Ducrozet, F. Bonnefoy. Simulation of breaking waves using the high-order spectral method with laboratory experiments: wave-breaking onset. Ocean Modelling, 119:94–104, 2017. [2] B.R. Seiffert, G. Ducrozet. Simulation of breaking waves using the high-order spectral method with laboratory experiments: wave-breaking energy dissipation. Ocean Dynamics, 68(1):65–89, 2018.

Source: Computer Physics Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.cpc.2026.110168

Authors: Guillaume Ducrozet, Moran Charlou, Félicien Bonnefoy

Institutions: École Centrale de Nantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Recherche Hydrodynamique, Energétique et Environnement Atmosphérique, Nantes Université

Language: English

Topic: Ocean Waves and Remote Sensing

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,160

Funders: Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Institut Carnot Santé Animale