WAVE FORCE ON A VESSEL TIED AT OFFSHORE DOLPHINS

Abstract

The solution of wave scattering by a vertical elliptical cylinder is applied to calculate the wave forces exerted upon it. The wave forces in the directions of long and short axes of ellipsis are shown in nondimensional forms as the functions of the angle of wave approach, the diameter-to-wavelength ratio, and the aspect ratio of ellipsis. The results of wave force computed are also shown in terms of the virtual mass coefficients associated with the reference volume of the circular cylinder the diameter of which is approximately equal to the apparent width of the elliptical cylinder observed from the direction of wave approach. Theory is further applied for the wave forces acting upon a vessel moored tight at offshore dolphins and the forces transmitted to the dolphins through the vessel. The vessel is approximated with the fixed elliptical cylinder having the same width-to-length ratio. The computation with directional wave spectra shows that a tanker of 200,000 D.W.T. may exert the force of about 1,400 tons at the one-third maximum amplitude to each breasting dolphin when the tanker is exposed to the incident waves of H,/,,=1.0m and T» / =10 sec from the broadside.