Hydrodynamic analysis of a novel modular floating structure system with central tension-leg platforms

The present work proposed a novel modular structural system with central tension-leg platforms and outermost wave energy converters (marked as MTLPW). The hydrodynamic interaction effect and the mechanical coupling effect between the WECs and the TLP have been taken into consideration, and the effects of key design parameters of the WEC on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the MTLPW system have been clarified. The results indicate that the outermost WEC can significantly reduce the surge response of the central TLP and produce considerable wave energy. In addition, the effects of different connection types, pretension levels and additional heave plates on the hydrodynamic performance of the MTLPW system have been further investigated, and the results indicate that both the outermost WEC module and the additional heave plate can be promising and available for improving the hydrodynamic performance of the initial MTLPW system.