Hydrodynamic analysis of floating VLFS using multi-domain boundary element method

Abstract The present study emphasizes the investigation of rigid and flexible Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) by analyzing the reflection and transmission coefficients, plate deflections and wave force on the floating structure. The study involves analyzing the hydrodynamic characteristics of a porous and rigid VLFS, and hydroelastic analysis of flexible VLFS. The analysis is performed using the coupled Multi-Domain Boundary Element Method (MDBEM) and Finite Difference Method (FDM) at finite water depth. The flexible VLFS is modelled based on the Euler–Bernoulli thin plate theory and the study is performed using small amplitude wave theory. The study evaluates the hydroelastic behaviour in terms of structural deflection and hydrodynamic parameters by varying the structural porosity. The reflection and transmission coefficients are analyzed to show the extent of wave propagation on the lee side and the seaside of the structure. The wave force coefficients obtained signify the importance of the structure's orientation for the oncoming waves. The numerical results are validated with the results available in the literature. The analysis is performed for different structural and material properties to obtain the minimal hydroelastic and hydrodynamic response to assess the optimum design criteria and suitability of the type of VLFS, thereby maintaining the stability of the structure for safer operations.