In the present study, a semi-analytical model based on the small-amplitude wave theory is developed to describe the wave fields around a single gravity-type cylindrical open fish net cage. The cage may be submerged to different depths below the free-water surface. The fish cage net is modelled as a flexible porous membrane, and the deflection of the net chamber is expressed by the transverse vibration equation of strings. The velocity potential is expanded in the form of the Fourier–Bessel series and the unknown coefficients in these series are determined from matching the boundary conditions and the least squares method. The number of terms for the series solution to be used is determined from convergence studies. The model results exhibit significant hydroelastic characteristics of the net cages, including the distribution properties of wave surface, pressure drop at the net interface, structural deflection, and wave loading along the cage height. In addition, the relationships between wave forces on the net cage with hydrodynamic and structural parameters are also revealed. The findings presented herein should be useful to engineers who are designing fish cage systems.

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In this paper, a new semi-analytical solution is proposed to describe the interactions between ocean waves and a flexible cylindrical net cage that is submerged at different depths below the mean water level. The flexible net is treated as a thin perforated shell, and its deformation is governed by the membrane vibration equation of cylindrical shells. The small-amplitude wave theory is adopted to simulate the wavefield, while the flow passing through the cage is described by the porous medium theory. The numerical results exhibit significant wave responses of the net cage, including the distribution properties of wave surfaces, dynamic pressure drops on the net interface, and net structure displacements. Furthermore, the influences of several important design parameters on the hydrodynamic action imposed on the net cage are revealed by parametric studies. The present studies conclude that the significant wave impact is mainly concentrated on the free water surface, and increasing the porosity and flexibility of the net can alleviate wave scattering and the hydrodynamic actions. In addition, at specific wave frequencies, the horizontal wave force acting on the cage will vanish. These findings should be useful to engineers who are designing offshore fish cage systems.

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