Introduction and Selected Case Studies in Hydroelasticity

Abstract

As a generic definition, hydroelasticity can further be defined as a branch of science concerned with the motion and distortion of deformable bodies responding to environmental excitations in the sea, as it evolves and is modified from the original Collar triangle. The discipline is concerned with phenomena involving interaction between inertial, hydrodynamic, i.e. the fluid pressure acting on the structure, and elastic forces on the structure which modifies its dynamic state and, in return, the motion and distortion of the structure. Considerations on hydroelasticity relevant to offshore oil production platforms, low-speed conventional ships and high-speed monohull or multihull vessels, which are affected by several types of dynamic loads including environmental actions, such as wind and waves, will be discussed to provide comprehensive understanding of the state of affairs. Then engineering analyses for the prediction of induced dynamic responses of such engineering systems will be elaborated in terms of a formulation of fluid–structure interaction via integration of hydrodynamics, structural mechanics and use of novel modeling techniques. Specific example in this subject is the author and colleague work on numerical boundary element computation of submerged body-surface wave interaction, which will be elaborated in detail. To provide some introductory examples in hydroelasticity, attention is given to the state of affairs and equation of motion of hydrofoils moving in incompressible and inviscid or viscous flow, and discussions on methods of solutions for stability and dynamic response. Inviscid fluid–structure coupling modeling and solution scheme will also be discussed, employing finite element method and representing the hydrofoil by a typical section. Many figures utilized in this chapter have been adopted or adapted from recent publications, for which the author would like to thank the corresponding authors whole-heartedly.