Very large floating structure (VLFS) is a sustainable concept centered around creating solid platforms at sea. The Delta is a new type of VLFS, designed to withstand open-sea conditions and to form, in addition to a broad deck areas, a sheltered basin of year-round operability. The design of this unique hull relies on direct calculations in order to identify critical load cases and assess their load effects. This study formulates a theoretical procedure for the initial assessment of the primary strength. The procedure analytically integrates the floatation loads while the hull rests at hydrostatic equilibrium on a wave surface and obtains the vertical and horizontal bending moment. This preliminary assessment tool enables a fast review of many load cases and provides the basic insights necessary for a reasonable initial design. Using the procedure, we conducted a primary load assessment for the design of Delta. By calculating the load response to 588 load cases, we identified the critical load scenario and the maximal axial stress. As the stress was too high, we improved the geometry in order to reduce loads and assessed proper scantlings for the critical section. We present the formulation of the procedure, the validation of the results, and the implementation for the structural design of the Delta VLFS.
Very large floating structure (VLFS) is an environmentally sensitive technology which creates artificial land at sea. Designated for the open sea, the Delta is a new type of VLFS. Formed, inherently, by the innovative geometry, the sheltered basin is a unique feature of the Delta. Its year-round operability as the gateway of the structure directly affects the Delta’s utilization. This study examines the basin in terms of its operability as a service port. Relying on potential flow theory and applying the boundary element method, we conducted a nonlinear hydrodynamic analysis of a moored vessel at the basin. It consists of a time-domain simulation of a tanker, berthed via nonlinear mooring system along the Delta’s side hull under severe wave conditions typical to the East Mediterranean Sea. The system is evaluated in terms of acceptable motion of the ship and permissible load on the mooring system. The favorable results indicate that the basin enables most cargo handling operations under waves conditions of Hmo = 2.5 m, and minimal downtime of less than 6% of the year. In this paper we present the analysis procedure, the evaluation criteria, and the mooring system’s design. The study results and their significance are presented and discussed as well.
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