Numerical analysis of hydrodynamic behaviors of two net cages with grid mooring system under wave action.

Based on rigid kinematics theory and lumped mass method, a mathematical model of the two net cages of grid mooring system under waves is developed. In order to verify the numerical model, a series of physical model tests have been carried out. According to the comparisons between the simulated and the experimental results, it can be found that the simulated and the experimental results agree well in each wave condition. Then, the forces on the mooring lines and the floating collar movement are calculated under different wave conditions. Numerical results show that under the same condition, the forces on the bridle ropes are the largest, followed by forces on the main ropes and the grid ropes. The horizontal and the vertical float collar motion amplitudes increase with the increase of wave height, while the relationship of the horizontal motion amplitude and the wave period is indistinct. The vertical motion amplitude of the two cages is almost the same, while on the respect of horizontal motion amplitude, cage B (behind cage A, as shown in Fig. 4) moves much farther than cage A under the same wave condition. The inclination angle of the floating system both in clockwise along y axis and the counter one enlarges a little with the increase of wave height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]