An assessment of hydroelasticity for very large hinged vessels

A computational analysis is presented for the effects of waves on very larg e hinged vessels consisting of several modules, connected by simple hinges. Two generic types of modules are considered: rectangular barges similar to the Megafloat prototype and semi-submersibles similar to those proposed fo r mobile offshore bases. Most of the computations are for configurations wi th five modules, each of length 300 m. The results include vertical motions , structural deflections, and hinge shear forces in head and oblique waves. A range of structural stiffness parameters is considered, to permit a quan titative assessment of the importance of hydroelasticity. (C) 2000 Academic Press.