Numerical simulation of vortex-induced motion of a deep-draft paired-column semi-submersible offshore platform

An extensive sensitivity study is performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to capture the transient displacement history of VIM (in-line, cross-flow, and yaw motion components). Amplitude and period of cross-flow (transverse) motion are obtained from statistical analysis of VIM time history and subsequently used as the validation criterion between the CFD simulation and the model tests. Satisfactory agreement between the CFD results and tow-tank measurements is achieved with a Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation - Shear Stress Transport (DDES-SST) formulation. This work provides experimental results and serves as a practical starting point to set up a CFD problem to estimate amplitude and period of cross-flow VIM motion for offshore engineering applications.