This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from OnePetro via the link in this record
Expanding on existing methodologies for the design optimization of
mooring systems for offshore renewable energy devices, this paper explores
the optimization of the axial stiffness of a mooring system, a key
property that governs the motion of the moored renewable energy device.
The optimization using a covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy
is executed with respect to both the motion response of the moored
device, and the cumulative fatigue damage in the mooring lines. Previous
mooring system optimization work has focused on geometry optimization
of the system considering known material properties, whilst
this paper explores the optimization of the axial stiffness properties of
the mooring system identifying ways in which the response of the system
can be optimized through changes in the material properties. Considering
the case of a moored heaving buoy similar to an offshore renewable
energy device, the present case study optimizes the mooring system simultaneously
minimizing the cumulative fatigue damage in the mooring
lines while also maximizing the heave response which is responsible for
the energy generated by the device
This work is funded by the EPSRC (UK) grant for the United Kingdom
Centre for Marine Energy Research (UKCMER) [grant number:
EP/P008682/1].