Work

A representative subarray method for radiation hydrodynamic modelling of large floating arrays with modularized configuration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Radiation hydrodynamic modelling of large floating arrays requires constructing immense influence coefficient matrices, with computational costs increasing rapidly with array size. Because these arrays typically feature modularized configurations, the surrounding-module arrangements of different modules exhibit repeated spatial patterns. To reduce computational cost, a representative subarray method is proposed based on arrangement repetition and the distance-dependent decay of radiation interactions. In this approach, a representative subarray is selected to encompass all required surrounding-module arrangements within an effective radiation range, and radiation hydrodynamic modelling is performed once for this subarray at each evaluated frequency. Full-array global coefficient matrices are subsequently constructed by identifying and matching the required submatrices based on relative module positions, while out-of-range coupling terms are set to zero. Taking square arrays as case studies, the present method is validated against direct full-array modelling through comparisons of radiation hydrodynamic coefficients and system modal frequencies. Results demonstrate excellent agreement, with greater computational savings for larger arrays. Significantly, for a 10 × 10 array, computational time is reduced to 2.07% of that required by direct full-array modelling. Furthermore, the proposed method successfully captures position-dependent radiation effects and lower-order collective motions that uncoupled single-module approximations cannot resolve. Overall, this method provides an accurate and computationally efficient approach to radiation hydrodynamic modelling of large modularized floating arrays.

Source: Applied Ocean Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.apor.2026.105326

Authors: Hong-Yong Cai, De-Qing Zhang, Zhi-Ming Yuan, Jun-Feng Du

Institutions: Ocean University of China, State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, University of Strathclyde

Language: English

Topic: Ship Hydrodynamics and Maneuverability

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,950

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Technology Research and Development Program of Shandong, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities