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Numerical and Experimental Study on Hydrodynamic Performance of A Novel Semi-Submersible Concept

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Abstract

Multiple Column Platform (MCP) semi-submersible is a newly proposed concept, which differs from the conventional semi-submersibles, featuring centre column and middle pontoon. It is paramount to ensure its structural reliability and safe operation at sea, and a rigorous investigation is conducted to examine the hydrodynamic and structural performance for the novel structure concept. In this paper, the numerical and experimental studies on the hydrodynamic performance of MCP are performed. Numerical simulations are conducted in both the frequency and time domains based on 3D potential theory. The numerical models are validated by experimental measurements obtained from extensive sets of model tests under both regular wave and irregular wave conditions. Moreover, a comparative study on MCP and two conventional semi-submersibles are carried out using numerical simulation. Specifically, the hydrodynamic characteristics, including hydrodynamic coefficients, natural periods and motion response amplitude operators (RAOs), mooring line tension are fully examined. The present study proves the feasibility of the novel MCP and demonstrates the potential possibility of optimization in the future study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Song Gao & Yu-feng Kou

  2. Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Ship and Deep-Sea Exploration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Song Gao, Yu-feng Kou & Jiang-long Sun

  3. Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G11XQ, UK

    Long-bin Tao

  4. China Ship Development and Design Center, Wuhan, 430064, China

    Chao Lu

  5. School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Jiang-long Sun

Authors
  1. Song Gao
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  2. Long-bin Tao
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  3. Yu-feng Kou
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  4. Chao Lu
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  5. Jiang-long Sun
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu-feng Kou.

Additional information

Foundation item: This work was financially supported by the 7th Generation Ultra Deep Water Drilling Unit Innovation Project and conducted at the State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

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Gao, S., Tao, Lb., Kou, Yf. et al. Numerical and Experimental Study on Hydrodynamic Performance of A Novel Semi-Submersible Concept. China Ocean Eng 32, 144–156 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13344-018-0016-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13344-018-0016-y

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