LAUSR

This paper presents an analysis of the effects of heave plates with large skirts on the dynamics of a semi-submersible FOWT in waves. The analysis was based on a preliminary hull configuration envisaged for Brazilian waters. A numerical model based on linear frequency-domain hydrodynamics evaluated with panel methods was used for predicting the effects of the heave plates on the natural periods of motions. The predictions were compared to the results of model tests conducted in a wave basin involving ten different configurations of plate diameters and skirt heights. The experimental results confirmed the validity of the numerical predictions and provided quantitative results regarding the variations in viscous damping associated with the dimensions of the heave plates. The data will be used for future calibration of a parametric model for hull geometry optimization.