Wave Impacts on Moored Ship-Type Offshore Structures due to Steep Fronted Waves

Can wave impacts only be identified and characterized by the relative wave velocities in front of the bow? The results presented in this paper show for instance that an extreme wave front steepness can induce large impact pressures on the hull of a moored ship-type offshore structure. As part of the 'SAFE-FLOW' Joint Industry Project these loads were investigated with a dedicated series of model tests. Based on the results a prediction method is developed, which can be applied in the early design of the bow structure.