The hydrodynamic coefficients for an oscillating rectangular structure on a free surface with sidewall

Based on a two dimensional linear water wave theory, the boundary element method (BEM) is developed and applied to study the heave and the sway problem of a floating rectangular structure in water to finite depth with one side of the boundary is a vertical sidewall and the other boundary is an open boundary. Numerical results for the added mass and radiation damping coefficients are presented. These coefficients are not only depend on the submergence and the width of the structure, but also depend on the clearance between structure and sidewall. Negative added mass and sharp peaks in the damping and added mass coefficients have been found when the clearance with a value close to integral times of half wave length of wave generated by oscillation structure. The important effect of the clearance on the added mass and radiation damping coefficients are discussed in detail. An analytical solution method is also presented. The BEM solution is compared with the analytical solution, and the comparison shows good agreement. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd