Abstract
Traditional linear time-domain analysis is used widely for predicting the motions of floating structures. When it comes to a wave energy structure, which usually is subjected to larger relative (to their geometric dimensions) wave and motion amplitudes, the nonlinear effects become significant. This paper presents the development of an in-house blended time-domain program (SIMDYN). SIMDYN’s “blend” option improves the linear option by accounting for the nonlinearity of important external forces (e.g., Froude-Krylov). In addition, nonlinearity due to large body rotations (i.e., inertia forces) is addressed in motion predictions of wave energy structures. Forced motion analysis reveals the significance of these nonlinear effects. Finally, the model test correlations examine the simulation results from SIMDYN under the blended option, which has seldom been done for a wave energy structure. It turns out that the blended time-domain method has significant potential to improve the accuracy of motion predictions for a wave energy structure.
Highlights
Wave energy is distributed extensively in coastal areas and holds huge potential for wider utilization [1]
The floating power system (FPS) used in the model test correlations is a necessary unit in the wave energy conversion system, but the FPS itself is not a wave energy converter (WEC)
The blended, weakly nonlinear time-domain method was implemented to predict wave energy structures (WESs) motions. This method calculates important external forces by directly integrating the instantaneous pressure on the wetted panels of the floating structures, while the remaining external forces are processed in ways adopted by traditional linear time-domain programs (e.g., OrcaFlex)
Summary
Wave energy is distributed extensively in coastal areas and holds huge potential for wider utilization [1]. The floating power system (FPS) used in the model test correlations is a necessary unit in the wave energy conversion system, but the FPS itself is not a wave energy converter (WEC). A range of methods can model the hydrodynamics of a floating or submerged WES [4]. The cost and time involved in the application of a modelling method (see Table 1) increase with its fidelity [5]. The cost and time involved in the application of a modelling method (see Table 1) increase with its fid2elity [5].LTinheeamr teimtheo(dfrseqouuetnlicnye) ddobmealoinwpointeTntaiablleflo1wh[a7v] e bAeeQnWuAse[7d],cWoAmMprITeh[8e]n, sNivemeloyht[o9]take advantage of either theBirleenfdfiecdietnimt teu-dronmaraoinunpdoteonrthiailgflhowfid[e10li]ty. The blended time-domain method and our program, SIMDYN, are general and can be applied to different types of WECs (e.g., the oscillating water column, the point absorber).
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