Experimental Investigation of Hydrodynamic Force Coefficients on Rigid Vertical Cylinders

Abstract

The present study is alleged to create appreciation about the importance of experimental estimation of the hydrodynamic force coefficients for making use in the structural design aspects of offshore structures. Model tests were conducted in the wave tank, on cylinders of four different diameters with wave characteristics pertaining to the major offshore sites of Malaysia. This particular paper, however, is limited to a discussion on rigid, vertical cylinders in regular waves. The theoretical wave forces were estimated using Morison Equation. From the results presented, it is found that both the drag and inertia coefficients are showing an increasing trend with an increase in the cylinder diameters of the members considered, like the variation of the total wave forces. Variation of the force coefficients in relation with the wave heights and time periods pertaining to the locations studied, is random in nature. The experimentally determined values of hydrodynamic force coefficients are considered to give modifications in the design and thus on the dimensional parameters of the platforms, which is deemed to enhance the economic efficiency of the offshore projects.

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