Numerical analysis of multiple floating bodies with beam connectors using bi-axial interpolation of wave forces

Abstract

Floating structures with many floating bodies and beam connectors are recently studied. Floating solar power system with grid layout of floating bodies is one of the examples. Since it has many floating bodies, it needs many computations in time domain dynamic analysis of wave-induced responses. This study proposed a less computing scheme to analyze the multi-body system more quickly. Proposed method analyzes wave forces for some parts of floating bodies instead of analyzing total bodies. It calculates wave forces at a line of floating bodies in x-direction and at a line of floating bodies in y-direction, and wave forces at another parts are estimated by combining the results at each line through bi-axial interpolation. An example multi-body system with beam connctors was analyzed to test the proposed numerical scheme. Wave forces at floating bodies were analyzed by HOBEM (Higher Order Boundary Element Method) and the connectors were analyzed using beam model by FEM (Finite Element Method). The floating body motions and connector stresses were calculated in regular and irregular waves at different heading angles. Their results and CPU time were compared with those by full body analysis. ？ 2021 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).