Optimisation of the Design of an Underwater Floating Transport Structure

Abstract

The article considers the optimisation of internal forces from constant loads of the underwater floating transport structure to reduce the local effects of internal forces.

This new type of structures can be used at significant depths of intersected water obstacles. Such structures will be in demand for the construction of underwater crossings as part of transcontinental transport corridors such as North – South, Japan – Europe and others.

The purpose of the proposed study is to optimise the design to solve the problem of overloads of structural elements. To solve this problem, methods of structural mechanics and numerical experiment using the finite element method were used. Optimisation makes it possible to reduce bending moments in the zones of the edge effect when using a radial fastening scheme by several times. This will allow the use of unified sections of the structure.

The article substantiates optimisation methods and their verification using the finite element method. The article also discusses the problems of system survivability of a structure in the event of failure of one or two anchorages. Bending moments increase significantly, but the traffic could be continued since the load from the train and the sum of constant loads have opposite signs.