Wave loads on ocean infrastructure increase as a result of waves passing over abrupt depth transitions
Zhenhao Li, Tianning Tang, Yan Li, Samuel Draycott, Ton S. van den Bremer, Thomas A. A. Adcock
Abstract
Abstract Abrupt changes in water depth are known to lead to abnormal free-surface wave statistics. The present study considers whether this translates into abnormal loads on offshore infrastructure. A fully non-linear numerical model is used which is carefully validated against experiments. The wave kinematics from the numerical model are used as input to a simple wave loading model. We find enhanced overturning moments, an increase of approximately 20%, occur over a distance of a few wavelengths after an abrupt depth transition. We observe similar results for 1:1 and 1:3 slopes. This increase does not occur in linear simulations.
Topics & Concepts
WavelengthSubmarine pipelineFree surfaceGeologyMechanicsSimple (philosophy)KinematicsPhysicsGeotechnical engineeringOpticsClassical mechanicsEpistemologyPhilosophyOcean Waves and Remote SensingCoastal and Marine DynamicsWave and Wind Energy Systems