A novel wave-moored porous structure interaction framework for assessment of hydrodynamic behavior of aquaculture platforms

Abstract

This study introduces a novel 3D numerical framework designed for analyzing interactions between environmental loads, moored structures and porous media. The framework not only accurately computes nonlinear loads but also effectively captures fluid turbulence and energy dissipation around structures, surpassing the capabilities of traditional potential flow theory frameworks. Specifically, it utilizes a porous medium model to simulate the fluid-structure interaction within netting systems and incorporates a buoyancy-corrected turbulence model to improve predictions of internal turbulence levels and nonlinear forces in wave-porous structure interactions. A series of validation cases are conducted, including the interaction between current and netting, wave generation validation and the validation of motion responses and mooring tensions for moored floating porous structures under wave action. The numerical results demonstrate good agreement with experimental data, thereby validating the rationality and reliability of the proposed framework. Finally, several case studies involving different environmental loads (e.g., regular waves, irregular waves and currents) interacting with semi-submersible aquaculture platforms are performed. The developed framework and its results provide robust analytical tools and valuable scientific references for designing efficient mooring systems for semi-submersible aquaculture platforms.