Structural reliability-based control of moored interconnected structures

In this paper, a model of a futuristic fish farming structure is developed and problems related to interconnected marine structures and strategies for configuration control are studied. A control system is designed that: (1) ensures limited loading of the mooring system; (2) keeps the chain of surface modules aligned transversely to the incoming current, and; (3) ensures positive strain in the connectors between the modules. Control actuation is by means of a thruster mounted on the first module, and a hydrofoil mounted on the last module. The performance of the control system is demonstrated by simulations, and evaluated by a structural reliability criterion referred to as the delta index.