Modular Multi-Purpose Floating Structures for Space Creation
Jian Dai, Øyvind Hellan, Arnstein Watn, Kok Keng Ang and James Lee
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.
KEYWORDS: modular floating structures · connector · hydrodynamics · model test · construction
Dr Øyvind Hellan is Vice President Research at the Department of Ships and Ocean Structures, SINTEF Ocean As. He has 30 years of experience in R&D, research management and innovation/business development. His research interests are in the areas of structural engineering, ship technology, offshore hydrodynamics and cybernetics.