Dynamic response of a floating dock in regular and irregular waves

Yu, Rong (1995) Dynamic response of a floating dock in regular and irregular waves. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

As a result of the increasing interest by engineers and port operators in floating docks to resolve port construction problems, the need for investigating the dynamic response of such structures increases. Since it is not cost effective to carry out tests on an actual operating floating dock in the ocean, an alternative solution is to undertake parametric model tests. Very few experiments using a floating dock model have been published. -- To establish the motion response and mooring forces of a typical floating dock in both regular and irregular waves in beam seas, an experimental program using a 1:9 scale model of a moored floating dock has been conducted. For each mooring configuration (free floating, crossed, crossed-connected and non-crossed), tests were undertaken at a 5:1 mooring ratio (horizontal distance to water depth) with prototype wave periods of 3 to 15 seconds. In all cases roll, heave and sway motion responses were obtained. The experiments were conducted in a wave tank equipped with a pseudo random wave making facility. To obtain the response amplitude operator (RAO) from the ambient response data, spectral analysis techniques were used. -- There is very good agreement between regular and irregular wave data. The RAO curves for roll, heave, sway and mooring forces show that the non-crossed mooring configuration should be employed where the situation permits since it will decrease the roll motion and mooring forces with respect to crossed and crossed-connected designs. There appears to be no benefit in either of the mooring designs for heave response. The RAO remains relatively constant regardless of wave height and period. -- Based on the findings of the study, areas for further research have been identified and recommendations made for further work on floating dock designs.

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