Numerical Modeling and Hydrodynamic Analysis of an Offshore Bridge Superstructure

Abstract

This study deals with the numerical modeling and hydrodynamic analysis of an offshore bridge superstructure. A scaled numerical model is established and numerical analysis with a focus on hydrodynamics is conducted. The numerical model and methods are validated by the comparisons of the model tests in various conditions. Second-order wave loads on the superstructure of the offshore bridge in different motion directions are calculated, and they are compared with the first-order wave loads to quantify the effects of the second-order wave loads. Then, a full-scale numerical model of the offshore bridge substructure is established; the hydrodynamic analysis of the full-scale numerical model is performed. In addition, the experimental results of the full-scale model are estimated based on the model similarity law and model test results of the scaled model. The numerical results calculated based on the two methods for the full-scale model are comprehensively compared in different load cases. The results and findings of this work greatly facilitates the design and numerical analysis of offshore bridge superstructures.