A static position-adjustment method for the motion prediction of the Flexible Floating Collision-Prevention System

The Flexible Floating Collision-Prevention System (FFCPS), used to prevent collision between uncontrolled ships and non-navigational bridges, comprises cable chains, floating structures and mooring system. Its main working principle is to use the sliding of the mooring systems in the role of energy dissipation. It can convert the kinetic energy of the ship into internal energy, and thus achieve the effect of avoiding a ship collision. The force relationships between various components of the system and ensuing simplified numerical models are firstly established in order to study the movement of the FFCPS. Subsequently, using suitable assumptions, the method of position adjustment to approach equilibrium condition is introduced. This method is based on the concept of statically determinate equilibrium in each step. The feasibility of the method proposed in this paper is verified by comparing the calculated results with model test measurements and published reference predictions. From these comparisons it is concluded that this method can be used in the preliminary design stage of the FFCPS.