Experimental and numerical study on dynamic responses of a TLP-type modular floating structure system

This paper explores a proposed TLP-type modular floating structure system, incorporating both central TLP modules and peripheral floating artificial reef modules. The outermost floating artificial reef module can function as a floating breakwater, and also serving as a habitat for surrounding marine organisms. To assess the system's multi-body coupling dynamics under various wave conditions, both scale model tests (1:80) and time-domain numerical simulations were performed. The simulations accounted for hydrodynamic interactions among the bodies and the mechanical coupling effects. During the scale model test, a survival strategy has been proposed to prevent collision risks between reef modules and adjacent TLP modules, which involving a hinge connector with additional linear spring. A preliminary stiffness recommendation was suggested by a trade-off between the pitch of the reef module and the spring force. Numerical and experimental results have been widely compared and discussed, including the multi-body motion responses and the tension leg loads. A good agreement has been achieved, although responses are slightly overestimated by numerical simulation due to the neglect of the viscous damping effect. In addition, the responses of the proposed system, connected with and without the outermost floating artificial reef module, have been compared and analyzed. The results suggest that the connection of the reef module can significantly reduce the system's surge response and enhance its survivability under severe sea conditions. The validated numerical model can serve as a valuable reference for subsequent system optimization and further engineering applications.