LAUSR

This study investigates the deflection and drag on flexible marine structures under steady-flow conditions and internal solitary waves (ISWs) using free-hanging risers as a representative example. We examine the relationship between the Cauchy number (Ca), buoyancy parameter (B), deflected height (hd), and effective length (le). Our findings reveal that flow fields influenced by ISWs closely resemble steady flow. This similarity enables the use of steady-flow analyses as a proxy in extreme motion studies of flexible marine structures. We also discover that an inclined configuration of flexible marine structures, such as free-hanging risers, diminishes the horizontal forces exerted by both steady currents and ISWs. Additionally, for both scenarios, increasing the weight of longer flexible marine structures is more effective than increasing stiffness in reducing deflection. The proposed method accurately predicts the deformation of flexible marine structures caused by ship motion in deep-sea mining and the movements of ocean risers with floating platforms. This finding is important for the design and optimization of these structures.