Abstract:

As core equipment for marine ranches, aquaculture platforms play a vital role in promoting sustainable fisheries and restoring marine ecosystems. They also offer potential for integrated clean energy systems, such as offshore wind and wave power, which can supply energy for offshore operations. Building upon traditional research, this paper incorporates net structure calculations into hydrodynamic analysis of box-type aquaculture platforms using potential flow theory, finite element methods and linear cumulative damage theory. Utilizing a random design wave approach, wave load calculations and safety verification were performed for a self-developed box-type aquaculture platform, providing theoretical foundations for its safe design and stable operation. Research findings demonstrate that among 10 typical dominant load conditions, the maximum separation force exerts the most significant impact on yield strength, with stress concentrations observed at the connections between the net-supporting structure and the main platform frame. Compared to other regions, the joints linking platform bracing members to the main structure, along with the toe ends of gusset plates, are more prone to fatigue damage. The fatigue behavior of gusset plate toe regions where the net truss connects to the main structure is consistent across analogous locations. To simplify future analyses, it is recommended that these areas be grouped into categories for assessment. Ultimately, the box-type aquaculture platform met safety requirements for yield strength, buckling strength, and fatigue strength under operational conditions. The buckling utilization ratio was less than 0.5 at most platform locations, indicating a high buckling safety margin and excellent compressive load-bearing performance. This study provides a theoretical basis for the safe design and stable operation of aquaculture platforms.

Key words: box-type aquaculture platform, flow theory, random design wave method, finite element analysis