Viscous drift forces in regular and irregular waves

Abstract

A method to compute wave- and current-induced viscous drift forces and moments on floating platforms in regular and random waves is presented. The relative velocity drag term of Morison's equation is used in conjunction with frequency domain first-order motion transfer functions to compute the drift forces and moments. Mean viscous drift forces and moments in regular waves in all six degrees-of-freedom of a tension leg platform are computed. The relative importance of the free-surface force integration, steady current, wave-current interaction and platform motions on the computed drift forces and moments are discussed. The results from this method, in the frequency domain, are used to compute the drift forces and responses in irregular waves using existing methods developed for potential drift computations. Comparisons with results from time-domain computations are also presented and good agreement between the frequency-domain and time-domain results is found. Some comparisons with experimental data are also made. The frequency-domain method is found to be an efficient and useful tool for the analysis of semi-submersible and tension leg platforms during the preliminary design stage in which extensive parametric studies need to be undertaken.