A discrete-module-beam hydroelasticity method with finite element theory in analyzing VLFS in different engineering scenarios

Abstract

A numerical tool is developed in the framework of the Discrete-Module-Beam method to analyze hydroelasticity of very large floating structures (VLFS) such as floating offshore photovoltaic platforms (FOPV). The proposed method utilizes finite element theory to perform structural analysis. The 3D potential flow theory is used to perform a hydrodynamic analysis after macro-submodule division. For the structural analysis part, the platform is divided into macro-submodules and each macro-submodule is represented by a beam, which is then further discretized into micro beam elements with the nodes categorized into three groups, that is, the lumped mass, the boundary nodes and the inner nodes. Derivation of the lumped-mass stiffness matrix and recovery of the displacement distribution are given. Procedures to deal with interconnections, complex boundary conditions and unsteady loads are elaborated. Good agreement is obtained in different loading scenarios to the numerical and experimental results.