Optimal Design of the Superstructure of an Offshore Tourism Platform by Using Numerical Simulation

Abstract

AbstractThis paper aims to reduce the wind resistance of the self-designed offshore tourism platform by optimizing its superstructure, and a transparent shape design is finally suggested. A numerical simulation was performed to calculate the wind load on the platform to test the effect of wind resistance reduction. Two original scale models (sealed and transparent) were established in accordance with the design requirements. The numerical simulation uses the FLUENT software combined with the built-in self-compiled user-defined function (UDF). The stochastic wind was also applied on the basis of the Davenport wind spectrum. The detached eddy simulation (DES) model was used to solve the NS equation. Numerical simulation results show that the wind resistance reduction for the transparent shape model is subtle in the horizontal direction but can effectively reduce the drag force and moment in the vertical direction. Moreover, the force variation of the transparent shape model under different wind attack angles decreases, which reduces the wind load fluctuations.