Wave Loads on Floaters of Aquaculture Plants

Abstract

This paper addresses wave loads on horizontal cylinders in the free surface zone by means of model tests and numerical simulations. This has relevance for the design of floating fish farms at exposed locations. Two model geometries were tested, where two-dimensional flow conditions were sought. The cylinders were fixed and exposed to regular wave trains. Wave overtopping the models were observed. A two-dimensional Numerical Wave Tank (NWT) for wave load computations is described. The NWT is based on the finite difference method and solves the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on a non-uniform Cartesian staggered grid. The advection term is treated separately by the CIP (Constrained Interpolation Profile) method. A fractional and validation of the NWT is emphasized. Numerical results from simulations with the same physical parameters as in the model tests are performed for comparison. Deviations are discussed.