Mooring system optimization for vessel in waves

In this paper the dynamic of a floating body moored in waves is analysed and some aspects concerning the optimization of the mooring lines are discussed. A frequency domain approach to the linearized problem is adopted. Namely the boundary value hydrodynamic problem is recast in integral form by using the proper Green function and the relevant integral equations are solved via a zeroth order panel method. A variational formulation for the cable dynamics is then proposed and its frequency response matrix is recovered in a closed analytical form by a Rayleigh-Ritz approach. The procedure is applied in the frame of an optimization technique and the sensitivity of the moored vessel response with respect to some mooring line design parameters is investigated.