Wave Response Analysis for Pontoon-type Pier

In this study, we proposed a pier of pontoon-type, “Very Large Floating Structure” (VLFS), with the length of 500m, breadth of 200 m and height of 2 m in Yeosu domestic port. Since this structure ought to endure wave loads for long periods at sea, it is essential to analyze the wave response characteristics. Direct-method is used to analyze the fluid-structure problem and the coupled motion of equation is used to obtain response results. The structural part is calculated by using finite element method (FEM) and the fluid part is analyzed by using boundary element method (BEM). Dynamic responses caused by the elastic deformation and rigid motion of structure are analyzed by numerical calculation. To investigate response characteristics of the pier in regular waves, several factors such as the wavelength, water depth, wave direction and flexural rigidity of structure are considered. As a result, wave response of pier changed at the point of L/λ 1.5 and represented the torsional phenomenon according to the various incident waves. And the responses showed increasing tendency as the water depths increase at the incident point in case of L/λ=8.0 and peak point of vertical displacement amplitude moved from side to side as the flexural rigidity of structure changes.