A dynamical study on sea waves interaction with an array of circular elastic floaters of aquaculture fish cages

Abstract

In this paper, linear oblique wave incident to circular elastic floaters of aquaculture fish cages was studied semi-analytically. This work's unique research objectives include considering the array of elastic floaters where each floater consists of two tori with minor differences in their main radii. Hydrodynamic interaction between the inner and outer of each floater body and hydro-elastic interaction between floaters in the array are the particular features of the problem. Using slender body theory and matched asymptotic expansions, each 3D problem was decomposed into two separate, more straightforward problems named near-field and far-field problems. This approach helps derive fundamental solutions for symmetric and antisymmetric motions. Also, using linear wave theory, the diffracted and radiated waves due to the presence of floaters were expressed in Fourier modes of symmetric and antisymmetric motions. Moreover, Graf's and Gegenbauer's addition theorems for Bessel functions are used to shift between different coordinate systems. This approach is helpful to bridge on calculating related integrals numerically. The developed model verification by BEM-based software demonstrates that the model solves the mathematical formulas with enough accuracy. The effect of various parameters such as floater dimensions, wavenumber, the distances between floaters, and the bending stiffness of floater on the floater's motions was studied. The results demonstrate that as the wavenumber increases, the floater's hydro-elastic interaction becomes essential. Furthermore, the upstream floaters do encounter larger wave loads than a single floater in waves.