Application of the reduced-order-discrete-module hydroelastic analysis for offshore floating photovoltaic systems

Abstract

This study applies the previously proposed Reduced-Order-Discrete-Module (RODM) method to the hydroelastic analysis of Offshore Floating Photovoltaic (OFPV) systems. The research employs a reduced-order method, coupled with multi-body hydrodynamic loads, to establish a hydroelastic analysis framework. By utilizing the penalty method to define hinge constraints between modules, a connection model with selective elastic rotation capabilities is constructed. The study simulates inhomogeneous wave fields by applying differentiated wave loads to various modules and compares the equivalent stress distributions under inhomogeneous and homogeneous wave fields. The structures with complex interconnections are simulated to demonstrate the applicability of the RODM method. The results indicate that, compared to mode superposition method and experiments, the proposed RODM method consistently predicts hydroelastic responses for both continuous and hinged structures under various wave incidence angles. The inhomogeneous wave fields significantly amplify the equivalent stresses, with stress levels increasing by approximately fivefold compared to homogeneous wave fields. Based on the SEREP-hydroelastic model, a novel equivalent stress calculation method integrating displacement-strain-stress coupling is proposed. The RODM method demonstrates significant advantages and applicability in the study of OFPV systems, particularly in addressing complex constraint optimization and inhomogeneous wave field effects.