Hydroelastic response of interconnected floating beams over varying seabed profile

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the hydroelastic response of multiple floating beams connected together by mechanical joints with rotational spring stiffness under wave action. A frequency domain approach is developed for the hydroelastic analysis. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible, inviscid and its motion irrotational so that a velocity potential exists and thus the fluid motion is governed by the Laplace's equation. The floating beams are modelled by the Timoshenko beam theory which allows for the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia. The boundary element method (BEM) is used to solve the governing equation and boundary conditions of the fluid domain. The finite element method (FEM) is employed for solving beam equation of motion. The study investigates the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia, relative beam stiffnesses, rotational stiffness of mechanical joints, and the varying seabed profile on the hydroelastic responses of the interconnected floating beams. Copyright © 2008 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.