Performance Evaluation of Articulated Multi-body Floaters in Harsh Environment

摘要

In this paper, the response of articulated floating structures in harsh environment has been investigated. Three applications where articulated joints are used to connect multi-bodies together are considered in this study; namely; VersaBuoy Offshore Platform; VersaBuoy Mobile Offshore Real Estate and the Bottom Feeder System for deck Installation/salvage. The hydrodynamic analyses of the three applications have been performed using both frequency-domain and time-domain approaches. Extensive model test programs are performed to validate the numerical predictions and illustrate the advantage of using the articulated joint to reduce the superstructure motion. Numerical results for the articulated joint loads as well as motion of each component of the multi-body system in comparison to the model test measurements are presented in this paper.