The dynamic response characteristics of “ChangJiangKou II” shipwreck salvaging operation: Physical and numerical experiments

In this paper, the dynamic response characteristics of an ancient shipwreck “ChangJiangKou II” salvaging system during its salvaging operation, including off-bottom, lifting and off-surface stage, are numerically and experimentally investigated. In order to accurately predict the hydrodynamic performance of “ChangJiangKou II” and the crane barge during the salvaging operation, a specific designed coupled time-domain model combining wreck-soil interaction, lifting module and mooring module is established. A physical model-scale experiment for dynamic lifting of an underwater structure is performed to validate the coupled numerical model. The performance of the dynamic lifting process in different lifting speeds and different environmental conditions is analysed and discussed. The experimental results indicate that there is a tension distribution process during the lifting operation and an external disturbance to the shipwreck can lead to a large increase in lifting cable tensions.