Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Influences of Connector Stiffness and Damping on Dynamics of a Multimodule VLFS

摘要

This paper investigates the connector characteristics of a multimodule very large floating structure (VLFS). The VLFS is composed of three modular semisubmersible structures, each of which is 300 m in length. Two kinds of connectors are considered: the pitching free articulated connector and the flexible connector. The load characteristics of connectors and their influence on the relative motion of the modules in various environmental conditions are analyzed. To further study these influences, a numerical model is established and experimentally verified. The factors affecting connector performance are then numerically analyzed in detail. The results show that the connector load and module motion were significantly influenced by connector stiffness and damping characteristics. A connector with appropriate stiffness can constrain relative motion well, and it can release part of its relative motion to reduce its load. Some conclusions are summarized that provide a reference for the design of VLFS connectors.