Hydrodynamic Interaction In a Coupled Ship / Barge System And Its Effects On the Mooring Line And Fender Forces

A series of model tests was performed to study a side-by-side moored ship / barge two-body system. Based on the experimental data, the present research investigation focused upon the analysis of the vessel motion response behavior as well as the pattern of the mooring line and fender forces in random seas for different heading conditions and load levels. Statistical parameters and spectral analysis showed that both the motion behavior and the connection force magnitude will be partially conditioned by the shielding effect and the load level of the ship. The time series of the motions near extreme mooring forces and the corresponding coherence functions between these pairs of data allowed for an estimation of the impact of the relative motions on the mooring and fender forces.