Hydrodynamic Responses of Spar Hull with Single and Double Heave Plates in Random Waves

Abstract

Heave plates have been widely used to enhance viscous damping and thus reduces the heave response of Spar platforms. Single heave plate attached to the keel of the Spar has been reported in literature (Tao and Cai 2004). The effect of double heave plates on hydrodynamic response in random waves has been investigated in this study. The influence of relative spacing <TEX>$L_d/D_d$</TEX> (<TEX>$D_d$</TEX>-the diameter of the heave plate) on the hydrodynamic response in random waves has been simulated in wave basin experiments and numerical model. The experimental investigation has been carried out using 1:100 scale model of Spar with double heave plates in random waves for different relative spacing and varying wave period. The influence of relative spacing between the heave plates on the motion responses of Spar are evaluated and presented. Numerical investigation has been carried out to investigate effect of relative spacing on hydrodynamic characteristics such as heave added mass and hydrodynamic responses. The measured results were compared with those obtained from numerical simulation and found to be in good agreement. Experimental and numerical simulation shows that the damping coefficient and added mass does not increase for relative spacing of 0.4 and the effect greater than relative spacing on significant heave response is insignificant.