Simulation of multi-body floating structures under wave actions using DualSPHysics+

Abstract

With the growing application of modular multi-body floating structures (e.g., offshore floating photovoltaics, wave energy devices, etc.), the hydrodynamic response characteristics of such systems in complex marine environments have become a critical concern. This study extends the recently developed open-source SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) code, i.e., DualSPHysics+, to simulate the hydrodynamic responses of moored multi-body floating structures through developing a numerical wave tank. The key features of the SPH model include δR-SPH for mitigating numerical dissipation, HPDC (Hyperbolic/Parabolic Divergence Cleaning) and VEM (Velocity Error Mitigation) for suppressing pressure fluctuations and VCS (Volume Conservation Shifting) for enhancing volume conservation. The accuracy of the numerical wave tank is validated against three benchmark examples of regular/freak wave interaction with single/multi-body floating structures and a wave flume experiment of a three-dimensional hinged superficial photovoltaic array under the action of regular waves. The results demonstrate that the numerical wave tank is capable of simulating the hydrodynamic responses of modular floating systems under wave action, including highly-deformed wave profiles, floating-body motions, hinge forces and mooring tensions. This provides reliable technical support for optimization and design of such systems.