ABSTRACT
In this paper, the coupled dynamic response of a moored horizontal cylinder type platform (simplified) for floating photovoltaic applications is obtained using Riflex, a non-linear time domain modelling approach. Cylinder diameter, submergence and environmental parameters are investigated and their influence on the dynamic response is discussed. Response amplitude operators, power density spectra, and response amplitudes for an irregular sea state spectrum are compared for each parametric variation. The static mooring system characteristics are found using equations of elastic catenary and compared with numerical force-excursion tests, which are found to be in general agreement. Natural periods are determined and compared with numerical free-decay tests. The dynamic responses due to first order wave forces, exerted by linear long-crested regular waves, are determined for a range of wave periods. The responses are found to be insensitive to diameter changes and mostly sensitive to submergence changes throughout the applied load cases.
