Numerical Study of the Influence of Fishnet Mesh Size on a Floating Platform

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of fishnet mesh size on a floating platform. A self-developed, time-domain numerical model was used for the evaluation. This model is based on potential flow theory, uses the boundary element method (BEM) to solve nonlinear wave-body interactions, and applies the Morison equation to calculate the hydrodynamic forces exerted on fishnets. The mooring system is treated as a linear and symmetric spring. The results near the resonant frequency of the platform indicate that the smaller the fishnet mesh size, the lower the heave, pitch, and sea-side tension response amplitude operators (RAOs), but the higher the reflection coefficient. The results in the lower frequency region reveal that the smaller the fishnet mesh size, the lower the surge and heave RAOs, but the higher the pitch and tension RAOs. Meanwhile, the time-domain results at the resonant frequency of heave motion are shown to indicate the influences of a platform with various fishnets mesh sizes on the rigid body motion, mooring line tension, and transmitted wave heights. In addition, a comparison of nonlinear effects indicates that, after reducing the fishnet mesh size, the second-order RAOs of heave, pitch, and sea-side tension decrease, but the changes are minor against the first-order results.