Response of pile-guided floats subjected to dynamic loading

Abstract

Pile-guided floats can be a desirable alternative to stationary berthing structures. Both floats and guide piles are subjected to time varying (dynamic) forces such as wind-generated waves and impacts from vessels. There is little design information available concerning the dynamic load environment to which the floats will be subjected. So far, the most widely acceptable method used in offshore structure design is the Kinetic Energy Method (KEM). It is a simplified method that is based on the conservation of energy. This approach is straightforward and easy to implement. However, in spite of its simplicity and straightforwardness, the method lacks accuracy. The intent of this project is to develop a rational basis for estimating the dynamic response of floating pile-guided structures, providing necessary insight into design requirements of the guide-piles. In this study, the Dynamic Analysis Method (DAM) will be used to model the dynamic responses of the system. MATLAB codes are written to help calculate the analytic and numerical values obtained from the dynamic models. For the purpose of validation, results from the two systems should be compared to a comprehensive dynamic analysis model created with the ANSYS AQWA Software.