Investigation on the Effects of Current in the Dynamics of Floating Systems

This paper presents the experimental results obtained by means of model tests, focused on the analysis of the influence of current effects in the dynamic behavior of a semi-submersible. The tests were accomplished with and without current, in order to establish the comparison basis. As an additional investigation procedure, the experimental results were compared to a numerical code based on the potential theory. As will be seen, considerable changes in the natural periods and in the damping levels was observed.