Lecture 5:

Aqwa Fixed Structures and Multi-Body

Interaction
16.0 Release

Introduction to Hydrodynamic Analysis with ANSYS Aqwa

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Aqwa Multi-Body Interaction

In the previous lecture the concept of a
multi-body problem was introduced. In
that case there was no hydrodynamic
interaction between the bodies.
We will now consider the situation
where there are two large structures
adjacent to each other such that
hydrodynamic interaction needs to be
considered.

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Multi-Body Problems
Aqwa can be used to solve problems that involve multiple bodies with up to 20 structures
with full hydrodynamic interaction.
The Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) for each of the hydrodynamically interacting
structures will be different from those that would have resulted if each of these
structures were on its own. The RAOs are not a physical property of a structure but
depend on the radiation and diffraction forces. The radiation as well as the diffraction
forces change in the case of hydrodynamic interaction and therefore the RAOs of the
structures in question will also change.

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Multi-Body Interaction
As an example consider two barges alongside each other
The top results are when the two barges are considered as noninteracting. RAOs are the same

The bottom results are when the two barges are interacting. RAOs are
now different, and the wave pattern is modified

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2nd order not captured by 1st

order terms appear so the
asumptions of linerarity are
lost

Multi-Body Problems
When analyzing multi-body problems it is often necessary to consider the effects of
standing wave formation between the structures, when waves can build up to a point
where they exceed the breaking wave limit due to the absence of viscous flow effects
This is mitigated by including an external lid between the structures. This can also be
used for enclosed areas, such as moon-pools
The lid consists of special diffraction elements at
the water surface which are assigned a Structure
Type of Abstract Geometry, and an Abstract Type
of External Lid.
A Lid Damping Factor is assigned (normally
between 0 and 0.2) and a characteristic Gap is
given (normally spacing between structures)

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Multi-Body Problems
Plots below show a typical wave surface elevation for a beam sea
crossing two parallel barges
The left plot shows the case with no external lid
The right plot shows the situation where an external lid has been
included

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Multi-Body Interaction
For the Multi-Body workshop we are going to consider a ship moored
alongside a pier.
This will introduce some other features
Fixed structures
Fenders
Multiple simultaneous seastates

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Fixed Structures
Some special considerations have to be given to structures that
are rigidly fixed in space since the radiation effects have to be
eliminated

In the Hydrodynamic Diffraction model a structure can be

fixed by setting the Structure Fixity to Structure is Fixed in
Place for the structure concerned

The Structure is Fixed in Place setting only operates for the

Hydrodynamic Diffraction analysis; for any subsequent
Hydrodynamic Response analysis a rigid connection has to
be manually established between the structure and a fixed
point
important

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Fixed Structures
If the fixed structure is to be placed on the seabed, an additional consideration is the
modelling of the bottom of the structure. The seabed acts as a boundary condition for
the radiation/diffraction computation. If a diffraction element for the structure is placed
in contact with this an invalid condition exists
This is overcome by either removing the body (face) of the structure that is in contact
with the seabed, or setting the body as being non-diffracting

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Fenders
In other workshops, connection types of moorings and joint articulations have been
introduced.
We will now introduce a third type of connection, fenders (or compression elements)
only way to model contact in Aqwa

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Fenders
There are three types of fender

Fixed Omni-Directional The fender is connected to one

of the bodies (or ground) and contact with the second
body may be anywhere on the surface of the fender
(assumed spherical)
Fixed Directional The fender is connected to one of the
bodies (or ground) and contact with the second body is
assumed to act in a given direction
Floating Not connected to either body. Contact with
either body acts in a given direction. Note that the
fender is located vertically at the still water level

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Fenders
Fender data consists of

Connectivity
Type
Action
Contact Points using previously defined
connection points

Fender Properties
Damping Coefficient
Friction Coefficient
Size
Non-linear stiffness coefficients
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Multiple Seastates
Ocean waves with different frequencies and
directions are very difficult to model
mathematically
A single irregular wave definition will create a long
crested wave form. This does not necessarily lead
to a conservative result. The interaction effect
between waves from different directions may be
important.

Aqwa can make use of multiple directional (short

crested) irregular waves.

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Multiple Seastates
To define multiple irregular waves we use the
Irregular Wave Group to bring together the
constituent irregular wave definitions
Wave spectral groups can include one or more of
the following
Single spectrum
Main spectrum + cross swell (as shown here)
Imported wave elevation time history
Note that the following options available in the
core Aqwa solver are not available in Workbench
2-D carpet spectrum
Spread seas
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Workshop 5.1 ANSYS Aqwa Articulations

Workshop 5.1 Ship and Pier Hydrodynamic Interaction
Goal:

Create a combined ship and pier hydrodynamic interaction model.

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