An Experimental Methodology for Investigating Vertical Displacement and Acceleration of Offshore Barges Using Towing Tank Model Tests

Wave causes floating offshore structures to move in six degrees of freedom (pitch, roll, yaw, sway, surge, and heave motions). Heave motion is the vertical movement of a vessel or offshore platforms. Wave induced heave motion is one of the major metocean condition with high effects on offshore operations. This study is aimed at introducing a novel, simple and inexpensive experimental method to demonstrate how vertical displacement (heave motion) and acceleration of barges in West African environmental conditions can be replicated in a towing tank test. Typical wave height of West African Offshore (Gulf of Guinea) is between 2.1m and 3.1m, while the wave periods are between 7s and 16s, scaled wave heights of 2.3cm - 3.3cm with wave periods of 0.7s - 1.7s will be generated. The experimental uncertainty will be measured by considering the accuracy and resolution of the vertical displacement sensor, wave height and wave period measurements, model dimensions. The experimental results will be validated against an analytical and numerical/CFD Methods.The study will be resourceful to researchers, ship builders, petroleum, marine and offshore engineers during offshore operations as well as shipbuilding.