Effect of bottom counterweight and cable distribution on the hydrodynamic response of the gravity net cage

To investigate the influence of the bottom counterweight and cable distribution on hydrodynamic response of the gravity net cage, a single cylindrical gravity net cage with different cable distributions and counterweights was analysed by numerical simulation. The floating collar was simplified as a hollow ring that has the same mechanical properties as one double-row floating pipe. The influence of the current, wave and cable distribution on the floating collar motions and cable loads were investigated. Analysis results illustrated that the volume reduction coefficient of net structure and the maximum tension of cable are mainly affected by the counterweight and cable distribution, respectively. In addition, the deformation of the floating collar is mainly affected by the wave height. The cylindrical gravity net cage with the 80 kg × 32 bottom counterweight and the ‘*’-layout cable distribution is fit for the sea state of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass.