Numerical study for slamming loads on the bow of a ship-type FPSO model under breaking waves

Abstract

Numerical analyses were performed to investigate the characteristics of the slamming impact loads on the bow-flare of a ship-type floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) model under breaking waves. To estimate the slamming impact load, a series of breaking wave simulations was performed. From 2D wave flume tests, the grid aspect ratio, convection scheme, turbulence model, effect of surface tension, and grid dependencies were investigated. Through a series of numerical simulations, the grid system and numerical schemes were determined, and the slamming impact load simulations were conducted. It could be observed that the slamming impact loads and motions of the FPSO model in the numerical simulations were in good agreement with the experimental results. In order to investigate the relation between the slamming impact load and free motion of the FPSO model, the breaking impact simulations were performed under fixed positions and the free motion of the FPSO model. From the results, the relation between the relative angle and slamming impact load, as well as the relation between the position of the FPSO model and impulse response, are discussed.