Influence of connector forces on the expansion configuration of a hexagonal modular floating structure

The preliminary design of a hexagonal modular floating structure (HMFS) system includes two configurations: U-shaped and V-shaped, which link seven hexagonal modules that create a network of connectors. The connector force is a crucial consideration in the layout of the connector network, as it must sustain the forces generated by wave motion due to its influence on the stability and safety of the modular floating structure. This paper presents the development of the HMFS connector network and the estimation of the connector horizontal force influence by two types of configurations. The design concepts of these configurations for HMFS configurations are proposed where analysis was implemented for regular wave in various directions of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 85°, and 90°. The impact of these various wave directions and the HMFS configurations on the connector force is analysed accordingly. According to this research finding, the connector force in U-shaped configuration is higher than the load in V-shaped of HMFS configuration. The connector force of the V-shaped configuration is arranged in hexagonal vertices (VV-shaped) facing wave direction receive a higher connector force than hexagonal parallel sides (VP-shaped) facing wave directions. The determination of horizontal connector load of hexagonal modules with varying configurations enabled the designer to estimate the horizontal connector load for various conceptual designs of hexagonal shapes, such as dock ships, yacht terminal and floating cities.