Foundations of Numerical Marine Hydrodynamics

Understanding how water interacts with ships, offshore structures, and marine systems is crucial for modern ocean engineering. To analyze these complex physical phenomena, engineers rely on computational methods to model fluid behavior. This text-based course guides you from the fundamental mathematical principles of fluid flow to implementing numerical models for marine environments. You will develop a solid understanding of how to translate physical hydrodynamics into clean, computational algorithms, preparing you to analyze waves, boundary layers, and lifting surfaces. What you'll learn: Understand the core mathematical foundations of interpolation, numerical differentiation, and integration. Solve systems of linear equations and differential equations representing marine fluid dynamics. Explore finite difference methods and boundary integral panel methods for inviscid flows. Model deterministic and random sea waves using fast Fourier transforms and statistical representations. Analyze integral boundary layer equations and computational lifting surface behaviors. Apply modern computational practices to structure and verify your marine simulations. The course begins with foundational mathematical definitions and key terminology before advancing to numerical solutions for partial differential equations. You will progress from basic numerical tools to complex wave and boundary layer simulations through clear, step-by-step written explanations and structured formulas. This course is designed for aspiring marine engineers, naval architects, and computational science enthusiasts who want a clear, beginner-friendly introduction to marine hydrodynamics without needing prior simulation experience. Start reading today to build your computational foundations in ocean engineering.