Structural safety assessment of a pontoon-type VLFS considering damage to the breakwater

 A structural safety assessment of a pontoon-type very large floating structure (VLFS) surrounded by a gravity-type breakwater was carried out for extreme wave conditions by considering the damage to the breakwater. Bending and shear collapses are considered to be a failure mode of the floating structure, while overturning damages the breakwater. The probability of the breakwater overturning, and the transmitted wave height before and after damage to the breakwater, are evaluated using design formulae for port and harbor facilities in Japan. The ultimate bending and shear strengths of the floating structure are calculated by the idealized structural unit method (ISUM) and FEM, respectively. The calculated failure probability for the floating structure is compared with the specified target safety level. It was found that the floating structure under consideration is most likely to fail by bending in transverse waves, and that the corresponding failure probability satisfies the target level. Received: September 12, 2002 / Accepted: October 4, 2002 Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Dr. Shigeo Ohmatsu, National Maritime Research Institute, Japan, for allowing us to use the program of hydroelastic response analysis. Address correspondence to: M. Fujikubo (e-mail: fujikubo@naoe.hiroshima-u.ac.jp) Updated from the Japanese original, which won the 2002 SNAJ prize (J Soc Arthit Jpn 2002;190:337–345)     

碰撞事故时超大型浮体模块连接处荷载特性研究

精确评估模块连接处荷载特性对超大型浮体的水动力设计及结构安全性研究具有重要的工程意义。文章以5模块半潜式超大型浮体为研究对象,考虑碰撞荷载和风、浪、流环境荷载的联合作用并采用AQWA软件对超大型浮体模块连接点处的受力特性开展了数值计算。船舶碰撞荷载简化为矩形脉冲,采用定常风、定常流以及JONSWAP波谱,探讨了船舶碰撞角度、撞击位置、环境荷载等因素对模块连接点受力特性的影响。该文的研究成果可为事故荷载作用时超大型浮体连接器结构设计和强度计算提供一定依据。     

Analysis on the applicability of VLFS for China

With the advantages on rapid construction,no limitation of extent,less influence on environment, the VLFS has been turned into the focus of coastal and offshore engineering studying.As the platform,VLFS was built as airport,huge oil house etc,and would play the role of ocean economics,politics and military.The restrictive condition of VLFS is strong wave by monsoon,seismic,serious bomb etc.The floating breakwater should be put forward to shelter VLFS.The analysis of wave condition including typhoon route,archipelago and water depth is performed in this paper.The advantage and disadvantage are compared between VLFS and the marine structure from land.     

浮式防波堤结构的研究现状

浮式防波堤作为海洋工程中一类重要的防波堤结构,具有优异的经济性和生态环保性。首先概述了海洋浮式防波堤的发展过程,总结了国内外关于浮式防波堤的最新研究成果,简要介绍了浮式防波堤结构形式的试验研究和数值模拟研究,并根据浮式防波堤下部是否设置阻尼结构划分为箱板式和板阻式两种结构形式,重点探讨了目前研究存在的问题和不足,并从耐久性、设计标准规范与新材料等方面对未来浮式防波堤结构的发展和研究方向做出了展望。     

Analysis of the slowly varying drift force on a very large floating structure in multidirectional random seas

In designing the mooring system of a very large floating structure (VLFS), it is essential to estimate the slowly varying drift force in random seas. For a small vessel, Hsu's method or Newman's approximation may be used to simulate this slowly varying drift force. However, based on experiments and/or field observations, it was found that the slowly varying drift force acting on a VLFS could be reduced to a great extent from the simulated values based on those methods. Thus, the conventional methods are not applicable for a VLFS. This discovery led to the development of several methods for estimating the slowly varying drift force on a VLFS, e.g., Namba et al. (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 186:235–242, 1999), and Shimada and Maruyama (J Soc Nav Archit Jpn 190:347–351, 2001). However, Namba's method is only applicable to a pontoon-type VLFS with a shallow draft, and Shimada's method is too simplified to account for the general shape of a VLFS and elastic deformation. These methods have been expanded in this article, and by our proposed method, any shape of VLFS and the effect of elastic deformation of the VLFS can be included. Formulations and several numerical examples are given.     

Experimental study on responses of an 8-module VLFS considering different encounter wave conditions

For the very large floating structure (VLFS) which is deployed near seashores, islands and reefs, the encounter wave conditions are always extremely complex. Traditional methods using homogeneous wave environment conditions cannot be applied for the analysis. In order to provide references for the further development of numerical methods, this paper reports an experimental study on responses of an 8-module VLFS under three different encounter wave conditions. The wave heights, accelerations, motions and connector loads of VLFS in three test schemes are obtained and analyzed. The comparative results show that the inhomogeneous wave conditions have an essential influence on the responses of VLFS. Especially for the connector loads, the values in the inhomogeneous wave conditions increase a lot compared with the other two test schemes. It indicates the traditional numerical methods using homogeneous wave field may not guarantee a safe design of VLFS and its connectors in the complicated wave environments.     

Hydroelastic analysis of oblique irregular waves with a pontoon-type VLFS edged with dual inclined perforated plates

The fluid-structure interaction of oblique irregular waves with a pontoon-type very large floating structure (VLFS) edged with dual horizontal/inclined perforated plates has been investigated in the context of the direct time domain modal expansion theory. For the hydroelastic analysis, the boundary element method (BEM) based on time domain Kelvin sources is implemented to establish water wave model including the viscous effect of the perforated plates through the Darcy’s law, and the finite element method (FEM) is adopted for solving the deflections of the VLFS modeled as an equivalent Mindlin thick plate. In order to enhance the computing efficiency, the interpolation-tabulation scheme is applied to assess rapidly and accurately the free-surface Green function and its partial derivatives in finite water depth, and the boundary integral equation of a half or quarter VLFS model is further established taking advantage of symmetry of flow field and structure. Also, the numerical solutions are validated against a series of experimental tests. In the comparison, the empirical relationship between the actual porosity and porous parameter is successfully applied. Numerical solutions and model tests are executed to determine the hydroelastic response characteristics of VLFS with an attached anti-motion device. This study examines the effects of porosity, submerged depth, inclined angle and gap distance of such dual perforated anti-motion plates on the hydroelastic response to provide information regarding the optimal design. The effects of oblique wave angle on the performance of anti-motion and hydroelastic behavior of VLFS are also emphatically examined.     

Simplified estimation for the dynamic behavior and reliability analysis of very large floating structures under wave-induced loads

This paper deals with the dynamic response and strength of very large floating structures (VLFS) in regular and irregular waves, considering the propagation of the hydroelastic deflection wave of the structure. First, a simplified estimation method is presented for the dynamic response and strength of the structure in regular waves. Then, the validity of the method is demonstrated by comparing its results with analytical results and experimental results for a mat-type floating structure model. Next, a simplified estimation method for dynamic responses under long crested irregular wave conditions is presented by using the above results and by combining them with irregular sea wave spectra. Finally, the applicability of the method is investigated through numerical examples carried out for a 4,800-m class VLFS under trial design. Characteristics of the hydroelastic waves, short-term responses, and reliability levels are numerically identified. Received for publication on April 14, 1999; accepted on Sept. 10, 1999     

基于直接计算方法的海上超大型浮式结构物单模块强度分析

海上超大型浮式结构是由若干个与半潜平台相似的浮体通过连接器相连而成的一种新型海上结构,目前对其结构强度分析较少。文章基于直接计算方法,采用SESAM/Hydro D进行超大浮体单模块水动力分析并预报其波浪载荷,进而调用SESAM/Sestra模块进行超大浮体总体强度有限元分析。分析表明,超大浮体的三个连接部位出现了较大应力集中。选取这三处连接部位作为关键节点,采用ANSYS计算该三处关键节点的局部强度。研究结果表明,在横撑与下浮体连接处总体和局部应力均最大,该部位是易产生疲劳破坏的部位,需要重点研究。     

浮式防波堤的研究

本文研究了在规则波作下锚泊浮堤的运动响应、消波性能、横漂力引起的提体横漂量以及链的受力情况，并预报浮堤在不规则波中的消波性能。理论计算应用了Frank源汇分布法和Grim切片理论，采用丸尾的远场积分法计算二阶漂移力，采用Kim法计算无穷远处的反射波波幅，用传统的悬链线理论对锚泊系统作静力计算。研究目的在于用理论方法预测浮式防波堤的特性并优化防波堤的形状。研究结果已成功地用于三峡水库导航防波堤的设计。     

Analysis of wave-drift damping of a VLFS with shallow draft

Numerical analysis of the wave-drift damping of VLFS as a floating elastic plate is presented. The source distribution method is used to analyze the drift force of the floating plate advancing with low-forward speed in waves. In the analysis, the shallow-draft assumption of the floating body is utilized; this assumption leads to the neglect of the steady disturbance field, which simplifies the analysis to a great extent. The consideration of the elastic deformation is made by modal expansion of the response, and the unit-amplitude radiation potentials are computed for each mode. The numerical results have confirmed that the wave-drift damping will have appreciable magnitude at the frequency region where the slow-drift oscillations are dominant. The formula for the wave-drift damping proposed by Aranha (J Fluid Mech 1996;313:39–54) has been compared with the present numerical results, but fundamental disagreement has been observed as reported by Finne and Grue (J Fluid Mech 1998;357:289–320).     

多模块MOB连接器动力特性研究

以7模块MOB为研究对象,利用RMFC模型,基于势流理论对7个构成模块单元进行3D水动力性能分析,计算过程中考虑了由于遮蔽效应而导致的浮体间相互作用.编制基于频域的多浮体运动和柔性连接器载荷计算程序,计算在规则波和不规则波下的连接器载荷值,并比较不同连接器刚度下各柔性连接器载荷值.计算结果表明,波浪入射角、波频、连接器刚度和海况对连接器载荷响应具有显著影响.本文的计算结果可为MOB柔性连接器设计与模块耐波性设计提供参考.     

超大型浮体模块柔性连接功能仿真模型试验研究

精确评估模块柔性连接性能对连接器和超大型浮体的结构安全性具有重要意义,而模型试验是获取超大型浮体模块柔性连接性能的必要手段。文章以横向浮筒式的浅吃水超大型浮体为研究对象,根据连接器动响应计算结果,设计了柔性连接器模型;通过不同幅值和载荷组合的连接器静态拉伸和压缩试验,研究了超大型浮体连接器的刚度特性,探讨了组合载荷对连接器刚度的影响;通过不同幅值和周期的连接器纵向动态载荷试验,研究了超大型浮体连接器在动态载荷作用下的结构响应,验证了超大型浮体连接器结构的安全性和适用性。试验结果表明在静态和动态载荷作用下文中设计的柔性连接器连接可靠、结构安全,连接器载荷、位移和应力测量结果可为验证连接器结构设计和计算方法提供依据。     

Elastic response characteristics of a very large floating structure in waves moored inside a reef

 This article describes the results of hydraulic model tests of the elastic response of a very large floating structure (VLFS) moored inside a reef in an isolated island. The distributions of strains and vertical displacements due to the elastic response of the VLFS were measured. The response characteristics were strongly affected by deformed nonlinear waves inside the reef. A two-step analytical method to compute the elastic response of a VLFS is proposed, and its validity is verified using the results of the hydraulic model tests. Received: May 2, 2002 / Accepted: March 17, 2003 RID="*" ID="*" Address correspondence to: S. Shiraishi (shiraishi@pari.go.jp) Acknowledgment. This study was supported by the Program for Promotions of Fundamental Transport Technology Research from the Corporation for Advanced Transport and Technology (CATT).     

新型柔性浮堤消浪性能的综合试验研究

针对柔性浮式防波堤对短波、长波均有较好掩护效果的优点,提出一种圆木阻尼式柔性浮式防波堤结构。通过二维水槽中规则波物理模型试验,研究该柔性浮式防波堤在有无浮板时的消浪性能,并对试验结果进行对比分析。结果表明:该柔性浮式防波堤对短波、长波都有良好的消波效果,有浮板柔性浮堤优于无浮板柔性浮堤。     

波浪中锚泊浮堤系统特性的理论研究

本文研究了在规则波作用下锚泊浮堤的运动响应、消波性能、横漂力引起的堤体横漂量以及此时链的受力情况。在理论计算过程中应用了Frank源汇分布法和Grim切片理论,并采用九尾的远场积分法计算二阶漂移力,采用Kim法计算无穷远处的反射波波幅,用传统的悬链线理论对锚泊系统作静力计算,还将矩形剖面防波堤的计算结果与日本井上义行的计算结果以及我国南京水利科学研究院有关矩形剖面防波堤的系列模型试验結果做了比较,计算结果和试验结果接近,吻合。本研究的目的在于用理论方法预测浮式防波堤的特性并优化防波堤的形状。     

Transient responses of a VLFS during landing and take-off of an airplane

The transient elastic deformation of a pontoon-type very large floating structure (VLFS) caused by the landing and take-off of an airplane is computed by the time-domain mode-expansion method. The memory effects in hydrodynamic forces are taken into account, and great care is paid to numerical accuracy in evaluating all the coefficients appearing in the simultaneous differential equations for the elastic motion of a VLFS. The time-histories of the imparted force and the position and velocity of an airplane during landing and take-off are modeled with data from a Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet. Simulation results are shown of 3-D structural waves on a VLFS and the associated unsteady drag force on an airplane, which is of engineering importance, particularly during take-off. The results for landing show that the airplane moves faster than the structural waves generated in the early stage, and the waves overtake the airplane as its speed decreases to zero. The results for take-off are essentially the same as those for landing, except that the structural waves develop slowly in the early stage, and no obstacle exists on the runway after the take-off of airplane. The additional drag force on an airplane due to the elastic responses of the runway considered in this work was found to be small in magnitude.     

新型捕能消波浮式防波堤数值模拟与试验研究

采用数值模拟和物理试验研究方法,研究了新型捕能消波浮式防波堤savonius型桨叶两种布置形式的捕能及消波性能。利用STAR-CCM+数值仿真软件,通过调用重叠网格、时间二阶离散、增加数值迭代的方法,建立了浮式防波堤三维水动力模型并进行数值模拟。研制了该防波堤物理试验系统,测试浮式防波堤捕能消波性能,综合分析数值模拟与物理试验的结果。结果表明,该新型浮式防波堤在桨叶转动频率与波浪频率相近时捕能功率最大,桨叶并列布置方式的消波性能比桨叶垂直布置方式更为优越。     

不同结构形式浮式防波堤湿拖过程中的运动响应研究

浮式防波堤是当前海洋工程装备研发的热点,由于浮式防波堤主尺度大,采用半潜船等工程船运输成本高。本文考虑三种不同类型浮式防波堤采用湿拖方式进行运输,采用AQWA软件,利用数值模拟方法,研究不同海况下浮式防波堤各自由度运动响应。研究发现：圆筒型和板架型浮式防波堤适用于不同海况下湿拖;网笼型浮式防波堤湿拖过程中运动响应幅值较大,建议使用半潜船运输。本文通过探究不同浮式防波堤湿拖过程中的运动响应,可为工程实际中浮式防波堤运输提供一定的借鉴和参考。     

基于离散模块梁单元水弹性理论的复杂连接处建模方法

[目的]在离散模块?梁单元(DMB)水弹性理论框架下,提出针对连接形式复杂的超大型浮体结构(VLFS)的新的建模方法,并与已有方法进行对比分析.[方法]首先,概述基于DMB的水弹性分析方法,给出求解连续VLFS结构在波浪作用下的动力响应步骤;然后,针对VLFS复杂连接处进行建模,通过定义连接处的刚度矩阵,对与连接处相邻...