The behaviour of different types of aircushion supported structures is described and compared with a rectangular barge having the same dimensions. All structures are free-floating and subjected to regular waves of different directions. Calculations are based on a linear three-dim
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The behaviour of different types of aircushion supported structures is described and compared with a rectangular barge having the same dimensions. All structures are free-floating and subjected to regular waves of different directions. Calculations are based on a linear three-dimensional potential method using a linear adiabatic law for the air pressures inside the cushions. The water surface within the aircushions and the mean wetted surface are modelled by panel distributions representing oscillating sources. The description of the behaviour includes the motion characteristics, mean second order drift forces, surrounding wave field as well as enclosed waves inside the cushions, bending moments and vertical shear forces. In this paper, the merits of aircushion supported structures in waves are discussed and as such can be of interest for large floating structures.@en
