Numerical investigation of dynamic responses and mooring forces of submerged floating tunnel driven by surface waves

Based on Navier–Stokes equations, a numerical model for studying the dynamic responses and mooring forces of the moored Submerged Floating Tunnel (SFT) driven by surface waves is presented in this paper. The mechanics models of the vertically and inclinedly moored floating body under wave forces are built, and the overset meshing method is employed to dynamically configure the computational meshes. Two laboratory experiments are used for validating the numerical model in terms of motion responses and mooring forces of the SFT, indicating the proposed model is capable of accurately simulating the instantaneous position of the body under the wave action. This hydrodynamic model is then utilized to simulate the wave–structure interaction of the prototype SFT designed for Qiongzhou Strait located between Mainland China and Hainan Island. The effects of the fundamental structure parameter, or the inclined mooring angle (IMA), on the dynamic responses of SFT are analyzed. The numerical experiments not only shed light on the mooring forces, as well as pitch, sway and heave responses of the SFT with various values of IMA, but also provide guidance for the choice of IMA in engineering design. The range of IMA is separated into five zones, and Zone 2 is regarded as the best choice for the design of IMA for both motion displacements and mooring forces are relatively small in this zone. Zone 3 is considered to be the worst choice as not only are motion responses of SFT severe in this zone, but also the mooring chains are at the risk of going slack under severe wave conditions.