Hydrodynamic analysis of a semi-submersible aquaculture platform with mesh grouping impact

Hydrodynamic analysis of aquaculture cages usually utilised the Morison model. However, due to the vast quantity of net meshes, the mesh grouping methods are typically adopted to simplify the numerical model and expedite computation. A novel numerical approach, combining the finite element model with the Morison model, is proposed to investigate the hydrodynamic behaviours of cage nets, and assess the accuracy deviations introduced by mesh grouping in numerical simulations. The research examines the impact of environmental factors and net parameters on these deviations. A detailed mesh model and several numerical models with varying mesh grouping coefficients are developed. By comparing the hydrodynamic responses of different models under current-induced conditions, the study quantifies the deviations in computation. The effects of net parameters on these deviations are thoroughly analysed and discussed, providing critical insights into the optimisation of mesh grouping methods for aquatic cage design.