Fluid dynamics of finned bodies - From VIV to FPSO

Engineering designs in the ocean environment often involve bodies with thin or plate-like appendages. These are used as devices to inhibit flow-induced vibrations, enhance directional stability, increase damping, or reduce excessive wave-induced motion. These phenomena all share the common characteristics that flow separation is important. An overview is given of the treatment of these physically similar problems, with the use of a recently developed viscous-fluid solver called the Free-Surface Random-Vortex Method (FSRVM). This is an efficient nonlinear formulation that can include surface-wave effects and reproduce inviscid-fluid results if the latter is desired. Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of risers, roll-damping of bilge keels, free decay of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) barge are considered as examples. Comparisons with experiments are made where available. Limitations and outlook are discussed.