Modular Multi-purpose Floating Structures for Space Creation

Abstract

Modular multi-purpose floating structures (MMFS) are an innovative approach for space creation on the sea. The basic idea is to create "land on sea" by connecting a number of standardized modular units to form the desired size and shape for generic applications. The research presented in this paper was part of the multi-purpose floating structure (MPFS) project funded by the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge (L2 NIC) Directorate and JTC Corporation in Singapore. This paper presents an overview of the concept development and evaluation of the modular units and inter-modular connectors. Results from detailed structural and hydrodynamic analyses as well as scaled model tests show that the proposed solution is technically feasible. The construction methodology and preliminary cost estimate are also presented and discussed.

A monolithic finite element formulation for the hydroelastic analysis of very large floating structures

“…Note that for 2-dimensional problems the Poisson-Kirchhoff formulation presented in Equations ( 12)-( 13) collapses to the Euler-Bernoulli formulation given in ( 8)- (9). Hereinafter we will restrict the derivations for the most general Poisson-Kirchhoff case.…”

“…A particular type of floating structures are the so called very large floating structures (VLFS). One can find several examples of VLFS, 1 such as floating airports, 2,3 floating breakwaters, 4,5 floating solar energy installations, 6,7 or even futuristic floating modular cities 8,9 . The study of the behavior of VLFS is, therefore, relevant for a wide variety of industries and scientific disciplines.…”

“…One can find several examples of VLFS, 1 such as floating airports, 2,3 floating breakwaters, 4,5 floating solar energy installations, 6,7 or even futuristic floating modular cities. 8,9 The study of the behavior of VLFS is, therefore, relevant for a wide variety of industries and scientific disciplines. One of the main characteristics of VLFS is that the overall structural stiffness is relatively low, behaving like elastic thin plates.…”