Abstract
The hydrodynamic behaviour of floating regular polygonal platforms under wave action was studied by conducting parametric studies. Considering triangular, square, hexagonal, and circular platforms of similar size and draft, the results show that their added mass, radiation damping, and RAOs are similar. However, the wave exciting forces are slightly different, particularly the horizontal forces. The polygonal platforms oriented with one of its corners in line with the prevailing wave direction can lead to a reduction in the horizontal force on the platform, a feature that helps in reducing the cost of a mooring system. Moreover, such oriented platforms are able to disperse the waves better in multiple directions and hence will not pose problems for ships or marine vessels passing by the platform on the weather side. Thus, the orientation of a polygonal platform is an important design consideration. From the comparison study among different polygonal platforms, their wave attenuation performances are slightly similar. The hydrodynamic analyses performed herein for the parametric studies were sped up considerably by using a significantly lesser number of Fourier coefficient sets for the series functions that define the velocity potentials when compared to those used by previous researchers in their analytical approaches. The adoption of the radius function defined by cosine-type radial perturbation does not only generate the geometric boundaries of polygonal platforms, but it also simplifies the formulation and quickens the computations.
Highlights
There is considerable interest in using large floating structures for creating land from the sea in land scarce coastal cities and countries
Many researchers studied the 3D hydrodynamic analysis of floating structures to understand the interaction between structures and waves with the view to produce optimal floating structure designs and mooring systems
The analyses are generally performed by numerical techniques such as the finite element method (e.g., [7,8]) and the boundary element method (e.g., [9,10]) because they can handle any shape of floating structures or seabed topology
Summary
There is considerable interest in using large floating structures for creating land from the sea in land scarce coastal cities and countries. The analyses are generally performed by numerical techniques such as the finite element method (e.g., [7,8]) and the boundary element method (e.g., [9,10]) because they can handle any shape of floating structures or seabed topology Such methods require large computational time for solutions and for pre-processing jobs such as mesh discretization. This results in a significant reduction of computational time (almost 30% faster) By using the latter version of a semi-analytical approach, 3D hydrodynamic analysis for floating polygonal platforms can be quickened such that parametric studies on hydrodynamic parameters and wave fields can be conducted readily.
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