Wave load identification for a floating cylinder using in-situ wave elevation and structural motion data

This study proposes a novel method for identifying wave load on floating structures using monitored in-situ wave elevation and structural motion data. Based on potential flow theory, this method establishes transfer matrices linking structural surface pressure to measurable wave elevations and structural motion. The derivation of the transfer matrices relies on truncated cylindrical harmonic expansion, Green's function integral equation and panel-based discretization. By precomputing the transfer matrices, the approach achieves real-time hydrodynamic force estimation using only monitoring data, circumventing full-domain velocity potential solutions. The proposed method was validated through experiments conducted in a large-scale flume, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. Phase space reconstruction reveals that the identified results preserve key dynamical characteristics of the system. Parameter analyses confirm its robustness against variations in discretization and truncation. The study also examines the influence of wave spectral truncation and measurement point layout, providing practical guidelines for parameter selection. This approach offers the advantage of easily obtainable monitoring data, overcoming traditional sensor deployment limitations while providing a scalable solution for real-time wave load monitoring of floating structures.