Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Floating Cylindrical Planter in Finite-depth Waters of Hong Kong

This paper presents a preliminary design of a floating planter that can be deployed in the Hong Kong finite-depth waters. The added mass, radiation damping, response amplitude operators (RAOs) of the floating planter and the wave exciting forces were computed by using an analytical approach, and the results were verified by comparing them with those obtained from the commercial software ANSYS Ⓡ AQWA[Formula: see text]. Furthermore, the results about the RAOs in heave and pitch were validated using the measured data collected from conducting an experiment in the wave flume. Last, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the sensitivity of resonance periods on metacentric height and cylinder radius. Based on a wave climate analysis of Hong Kong water, an optimal design suggests the cylinder being 2.5[Formula: see text]m in radius, 3.55[Formula: see text]m in draft, and the center of gravity being 1.45[Formula: see text]m underwater. Such a design ensures its safe deployment around 359 days per year. This study provides valuable insights to researchers and engineers for the design and applications of floating planters in finite-depth waters.