Design and Construction Considerations for Hydroelastic Testing of a Truss-Floater Platform

Abstract

From the existing literature, no scaled models have been reported that combine slamming on cylindrical bodies with global structural compliance. The absence of validated construction methods hinders experimental validation of slamming predictions, which constitute a design-driving load case for the presented structure. To enable controlled investigation of slamming-induced structural response, this study presents the design, construction, and experimental validation of a scaled flexible model representing a three-floater platform using a beam-based structural idealisation. A coupled FEM–BEM numerical framework was developed to design the model based on scaled wet natural frequencies and global mode shapes. The beam system was fabricated using SLA printing with Tough2000 resin, while the floaters were constructed as rigid elements to concentrate flexibility within the connecting beams. Static and dynamic modal testing was performed in both dry and wet configurations. Following material calibration, the numerically predicted natural frequencies and dominant global mode shapes showed good agreement with experimentally identified modes. Natural frequency deviations remained within 7%, and strain-based measurements confirmed accurate reproduction of the primary global deformation patterns. The results demonstrate that the proposed idealised beam and additive manufacturing approach provides a viable methodology for representing global hydroelastic behaviour of Merganser-like platforms