ABSTRACT
In this paper, we shall focus on the applications, and developments of the pontoon-type VLFS for sea space utilizations over the past few decades.
2 APPLICATIONS OF VLFS
From 1995 to 2001, the Japanese constructed and studied the performance of the Mega-Float (a 1 km long floating test runway in Tokyo bay as shown in Figure 1) in order to develop and to investigate the soundness of the VLFS technology for use as
1 INTRODUCTION
Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) are artificially man-made floating land parcels on the sea. They appear like giant plates resting on the sea surface. VLFS may be broadly categorized into the semisubmersible-type and the pontoon-type. The semisubmersible-type VLFS has a raised platform above sea level by using column tubes and is suitable for deployment in high seas with large waves. In contrast, the pontoon-type VLFS platform rests on the water surface and is intended for deployment in calm waters such as in a cove, a lagoon or a harbor.
