A finite volume Simo–Reissner beam method for moored floating body dynamics

This paper presents a novel finite volume mooring line model based on the geometrically exact Simo–Reissner beam model for analysing the interaction between a floating rigid body and its mooring lines. The coupled numerical model is implemented entirely within a finite volume-based discretisation framework using a popular computational fluid dynamics C++ toolbox, OpenFOAM. Unlike existing methods for modelling mooring lines, which rely on lumped mass models or finite element-based approaches, this work simulates the mooring cables using non-linear beam models implemented in a finite volume framework to account for bending, tensile, and torsional loading. This advancement makes the current work particularly valuable for simulating extreme sea conditions. The coupled model developed in this study has been validated and verified using experimental and numerical data for a floating box moored with four catenary mooring lines under regular wave conditions featuring different wave heights and periods. The results demonstrate strong agreement with both experimental and numerical data, highlighting the model’s accuracy in capturing mooring dynamics and floating body motion. • A finite volume-based mooring line model based on Simo–Reissner beam theory. • A unified FV framework in OpenFOAM models the floating body and mooring lines. • The model accurately captures bending, tensile, and torsional loads. • Validation of a Coupled Model for a Catenary-Moored Floating Box in Waves.