Dynamic response simulation of a heavy cargo suspended by a floating crane based on multibody system dynamics

In this paper, the dynamic response simulation of heavy cargo suspended by a floating crane is performed. The dynamic equations of the motions of the floating crane and the heavy cargo must be considered by the coupled equations because the floating crane and the heavy cargo are connected by wire ropes and provide force and a moment for each other. Hence, the dynamic equations of motion are set up for considering the 6-degrees-of-freedom floating crane and the 6-degrees-of-freedom cargo based on multibody system dynamics. The nonlinear terms in the equations of motion are considered. In addition, the nonlinear hydrostatic force, the linear hydrodynamic force, the wire rope force, and the mooring force are considered as the external forces. Finally, we estimate the motion of the floating crane and the heavy cargo and also calculate the tension of the wire rope between the two. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.