FORCES AND MOTIONS OF A FLEXIBLE FLOATING BARRIER

The problem of determining the motions, the structural and the hydrodynamic forces on a flexible, floating barrier are considered. Such barriers are frequently used as containment devices for floating liquid pollutants such as oil. Local hydrodynamic forces on a barrier are approximated by those for a straight barrier at angles to the waves and current equal to those of the local section. This affords a simplification in the theory that allows a solution in closed form to the nonlinear problem of a barrier in a current and a numerical solutions for the linearized problem of a barrier in waves. These problems are treated additively inasmuch as the interaction effects between waves and currents on a barrier are not yet known. The degree to which the barrier follows the fluid particle motion in waves is known to be particularly important. Poor following not only leads to degradation of the barrier as a containment device, but also results in enormous forces on the barrier. Application of the method of solutions for barriers to the case of a towed cable in waves is discussed. Previously unpublished force coefficients for a two-dimensional flat plate are given.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

  1290 Avenue of the Americas
  New York, NY  United States  10019
• Authors:
  • Milgram, J H
• Publication Date: 1971-4

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 41-51
• Serial:
  • Journal of Hydronautics
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Force; Hydrodynamic pressure; Loads; Waves
• Old TRIS Terms: Hydrodynamic forces; Oil barriers; Oil containment; Wave forces on structures; Wave induced loads
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00019381
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 25 1972 12:00AM