A Study on Predictions of Fully Nonlinear Motion Aircushion Type Floating Structures Using 2D MPS Method

Abstract

Very large floating structures (VLFSs) have been proposed for new ocean space utilization and many researches have been carried out. VLFSs are elastically deformed due to ocean waves because the rigidity of the structure decreases relatively. The authors examine the aircushion type floating structure in order to reduce hydroelastic motion. An aircushion type floating structure to which air-chambers are installed can reduce the wave drifting force and hydroelastic motion at the same time. Most theoretical calculations of motion of aircushion type floating structures in water waves have been done based on a linear potential theory so far. As a result, the utility of the aircushion has been proved. However fully nonlinear phenomena such as deck wetness, slamming and air-leakage cannot be investigated by using existing calculations based on the linear theory. In this study, a computer program code of the two-dimensional MPS method that can consider fully nonlinear influence is developed and then the air layer inside an aircushion is expressed with particles of the MPS. Moreover, the numerical technique for introducing directly the mooring force into the motion equation of the particle is developed. Motion response of aircushion type floating structures in a billow is computed. As a result, the usefulness of this numerical calculation method is confirmed.