Gravity wave interaction with a flexible circular cage system

• Hydroelastic analysis of a floating flexible circular cage system is studied.
• The cage system is modeled as a surface-piercing flexible porous cylinder.
• The cage system is assumed to be pinned at the free surface and the submerged end.
• Fourier-Bessel series and least squares approximations are used.
• Cage efficiency is studied by analysing wave and structural parameters.

The present study deals with the hydroelastic analysis of a floating flexible circular cage system in finite water depth under the assumption of small amplitude waves and structural response. The flexible cage system is modeled as a surface-piercing porous flexible cylinder having a flexible porous membrane type bed which is under the action of uniform tension. Using the Fourier-Bessel series solution and least squares approximation method, the mathematical problem is handled for solution by matching the velocity and pressure at the fluid-structure interfaces. Further, the flexible cage system is assumed to be kept fixed at the free surface and the submerged end. The efficiency of the cage system is studied by analyzing the hydrodynamic force, effect of structural porosity and deflections of the flexible walls and bed of the cage system. The findings of the present study are helpful in the design of various types of floating cage system for marine aquaculture which can withstand the wave loads of varied nature at calm water location in the coastal area.