Structural Response Analysis for Multi-Linked Floating Offshore Structure Based on Fluid–Structure Coupled Analysis

Recently, offshore structures for eco-friendly energy, such as wind and solar power, have been developed to address the problem of insufficient land space; in the case of energy generation, they are designed on a considerable scale. Therefore, the scalability of offshore structures is crucial. The Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) developed multi-linked floating offshore structures composed of floating bodies and connection beams for floating photovoltaic systems. Large-scale floating photovoltaic systems are mainly designed in a manner that expands through the connection between modules and demonstrates a difference in structural response with connection conditions. A fluid–structure coupled analysis was performed for the multi-linked floating offshore structures. First, the wave load acting on the multi-linked offshore floating structures was calculated through wave load analysis for various wave load conditions. The response amplitude operators (RAOs) for the motions and structural response of the unit structure were calculated by performing finite element analysis. The effects of connection conditions were analyzed through comparative studies of RAOs and the response’s maximum magnitude and occurrence location. Hence, comparing the cases of a hinge connection affecting heave and pitch motions and a fixed connection, the maximum bending stress of the structure decreased by approximately 2.5 times, while the mooring tension increased by approximately 20%, confirmed to be the largest change in bending stress and mooring tension compared to fixed connection. Therefore, the change in structural response according to connection condition makes it possible to design a higher structural safety of the structural member through the hinge connection in the construction of a large-scale multi-linked floating offshore structure for large-scale photovoltaic systems in which some unit structures are connected. However, considering the tension of the mooring line increases, a safety evaluation of the mooring line must be performed.