Hydrodynamic analysis of an array of interacting free-floating oscillating water column (OWC׳s) devices

The paper deals with the hydrodynamic analysis of an array of oscillating water column (OWC) devices that is floating independently in finite depth waters and exposed to the action of regular surface waves. Linearized potential flow theory is assumed. Numerical results are given from the analytical solution of three boundary value problems, namely, the diffraction, the motion - and the pressure-dependent radiation problems. In all cases the interaction phenomena with neighboring bodies have been taken properly into account. First and mean second order wave forces, added masses and damping coefficients, together with air volume flow rates and wave power efficiency from each device are parametrically evaluated.