A hydroelastic optimization method for multiseparated modules of floating composite structures in two-dimension

Abstract

This study proposes a hydroelastic optimization method for multiseparated modules of high-specific-strength floating structures with low-weight cores and high-strength surfaces in two-dimension. A sixth-order dynamical model of this floating composite structure is deduced from the fluid-structure interaction condition of the wave surface. Drawing upon potential flow theory and separation of variables, we discretize the water domain into plate-covered areas and open water areas, in which the analytical solution for the interaction between waves and the floating composite structure with any number of separated modules is derived. The convergence and accuracy of the analytical solution are verified by calculating the transmission and reflection coefficients of the waves and various hydrodynamic parameters, including deflection, bending moment, and shear force. Furthermore, the effects of the number of modules, module spacing, and core thickness on the hydrodynamic parameters of the floating structure are investigated. The module number and structural-component-material parameters are coupled in influencing the hydroelastic behavior and mechanical responses of this floating cluster. This proposed method is an alternative optimization technique for considering the sea state, spatial modules, structural features and material properties in practical engineering applications.