Diffraction Analysis of Two Semi-Submersible Platforms for Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Applications Using OrcaWave

This study presents a diffraction analysis of two semi-submersible platform configurations intended for floating offshore wind turbine applications. The first investigated configuration corresponds to a semi-submersible barge with a central moonpool, while the second configuration is a cross-shaped semi-submersible. Both hydrodynamic models were developed and analyzed in OrcaWave. Simulations were performed for wave incidence directions ranging from 0° to 360°. The obtained hydrodynamic coefficients provide insights into the added mass, radiation damping, load response amplitude operators (RAOs) and two types of mean drift loads RAO of both platform types. The results highlight the influence of geometry and displacement on the diffraction performance, which is critical for the design of floating wind turbine support structures.