Numerical and experimental investigations of hydroelastic effects of very large moored and mechanically coupled multibody offshore floating structures

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The main objective of this project is to further develop and use advanced experimental as well as numerical methods to investigate hydroelastic effects of wave- and current-induced loads on and the associated global structural responses of very large floating structures (VLFSs) moored in shallow waters. As VLFSs are exposed to various critical environmental conditions from waves, wind, and current, they may be subject to wave-induced impact (whipping) and resonant (springing) excitations. Anchored with soft moorings, large amplitude slowly varying motions generally occur, causing low-frequency fatigue damage of mooring components. To accurately tackle the problem of hydroelasticity for VLFSs, interactions between strongly nonlinear flow phenomena, the floating structure itself, its mooring system, and the mechanical coupling systems will be considered.In this project, these effects shall be extensively investigated, experimentally as well as numerically. The approach to be developed couples a Navier-Stokes-based flow simulation code with a structural solver that includes the dynamics of mooring lines and mechanical coupling systems. Further on, results of this project may contribute towards the development of VLFSs under extreme conditions that need to be considered to ensure their operability and safety.