Hydro-Elastoplastic Analysis for Predicting Collapse Behavior of VLFS Under Large Waves

This paper addresses collapse behavior of Very Large Floating Structure (VLFS) under large wave loads, as part of risk analysis. In predicting the consequence of collapse, the deformation of VLFS consisting of elastic and plastic ones under the large load event must be addressed. The deformation interacts with the fluid around it. Therefore, hydro-elastoplastic analysis needs to be developed. The whole VLFS structure is modeled as two elastic beams with an elasto-plastic hinge embedded at the connection. The deformation behavior is formulated by using finite element method (FEM). The hydrodynamic behavior is modeled by using Rankine source panel method based on two-dimensional and time-domain potential theory. The two domains are coupled. A series of simulation and tank test results for the basic collapse behavior of VLFS is presented.