The Flow Around FPSO’s in Steep Regular Waves

This paper investigates the hydrodynamical aspects of a fixed FPSO in regular waves. The emphasis is geared to the validation of state of the art CFD techniques, using particle image velocimetry measurements on the water velocities around a captive model of an FPSO in regular waves. The main focus is on the following issues:

• Determination of the water velocities around the vessel using PIV techniques and pressures on a girth below and just above the mean waterline of the vessel using pressure gauges.
• Comparison of the RAO’s of the water velocities, pressures and relative wave heights. The resulting pressure profiles along the girth, especially near the waterline, showed a significant non–linear effect in steep beam wave conditions.

The velocities as measured near the bilges of the vessel indicated a strong separation at the bilge’s of the vessel. This leads to an overestimation of the water velocities near the bilge’s of the vessel as calculated using a linear diffraction programme.

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