THREE-DIMENSIONAL HYDROELASTIC RESPONSE OF A VERY LARGE FLOATING STRUCTURE

A simplified analysis procedure based on 3-D hydroelasticity, which can be used to determine the motions and intermodule forces of a multi-module, very large floating structure (VLFS), is described. While the procedure is applicable to an arbitrary geometric layout of the modules, the modules are considered rigid, and hence all deformations occur in the module connectors. The procedure is used to analyse the response of a 5-module VLFS in both regular and irregular seas. The effect of fluid and structural coupling of the modules on the response is evaluated.