Mega-Float
Research and Development of Mega-Float
In April 1995, Technological Research Association of Mega-Float was established by 17 major Japanese shipbuilders and steel manufactures to implement research and development for creation of large- scale floating structure.
Characteristics of Mega-Float
・Floating structures can be shifted to different locations.
・The floating structure can be easily extended, expanded or scrapped.
・Effects of water depth and consistency of the seabed are relatively insignificant.
・The floating structure is free from damage by earthquakes and ground liquefaction phenomena.
・Floating structures have virtually no impact on natural environment and do not change the ecosystem or discharge-duration.
・Construction period can be significantly shortened by constructing the individual units and upper facilities of the floating structure simultaneously.
・The sections below the deck of the floating structure can be effectively utilized.
Outline of the Reserarch and Development Program
・The R&D project consists of five research sections.
(1) Design Technology for Floating Structure
(2) On-sea Construction Technology
(3) Ultra-long Durability Technology
(4) Operational Functions of Facilities on Floating Structures
(5) Environmental Assessment Technology
The purpose of this three-year project, which will be undertaken from fiscal 1995 to 1997, is to establish these technological systems, which will be verified through experiments with a large floating model on the sea. This large floating model is situated at Oppama in Tokyo Bay.
・Design Technology for Floating Structures
Ultra-large floating structures will be far thinner than conventional ones in terms of depth per length. Therefore, the development objective is to establish a structual design program adapted to the elastic movement and response of ultra-thin floating structures (with a depth: length ratio of approx 1 : 1000).
Research objectives are as follows.
(1) To make precise estimations of the external forces and mooring forces acting on a floating structure.
(2) To make an analysis of elasticity by empirical means and through tank tests of models.
(3) To verify the results through on- sea experiments with a large floating model.
