Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-29-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

May 2026

Department

Ocean and Mechanical Engineering

College Granting Degree

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department Granting Degree

Ocean and Mechanical Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Manhar Dhanak

Abstract

This study examines the performance and optimization of a point absorber wave energy converter with a partially submerged spherical float. A comprehensive open-source computational framework integrates frequency-domain hydrodynamic analysis with time-domain simulation using Capytaine, BEMIO, and WEC-Sim. Hydrodynamic coefficients such as added mass, radiation damping, and excitation forces are calculated and integrated into the governing equation of motion using the Cummins formulation. A parametric analysis varies the float diameter and geometric configurations across several cases. Hydrodynamic coefficients and response amplitude operators are assessed to analyze system behavior and resonance characteristics. Results indicate consistent trends in normalized added mass, with radiation damping partially influenced by geometry. A framework optimizes configurations to maximize power absorption in regular and irregular wave conditions. The findings highlight geometric tuning and power take-off damping as crucial for enhancing system performance.

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