Computational fluid dynamics and experimental study of lock-in phenomenon in vortex-induced motions of a cell-truss spar

Spar platforms could be subject to vortex-induced-motions (VIM) in certain current conditions. Lockin is a phenomenon which occurs in a range of reduced velocities in VIM. In this paper, a new concept of spar platform called cell-truss spar is studied using both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and model test to investigate the VIM of the spar under different reduced velocities. The unique configuration of the cell-truss spar is carefully considered, and the unsteady flow around the spar is calculated and visualized in CFD simulations. A physical model with a scale ratio of 1:100 of the cell-truss spar is fabricated, and model tests are carried out in the current-generating ocean engineering basin. Many important parameters in VIM of the cell-truss spar are obtained, the occurrence of lock-in phenomenon is successfully simulated, and the mechanism and rules of lock-in are analyzed.