Impact Motion of a Buoyant Cylinder Released Underwater on a Surface Body

Abstract

Surface impact velocities and accelerations of a buoyant module released underwater have been analyzed. The associated equations of motion are presented. The analyses include the effects of cavitation inception possibility, free surface and surface wave action. Velocities and accelerations of rising trajectories are computed as a function of buoyancy, body shape and release depth, with a special application to buoyant modules encasing a deepwater riser. The released module reaches terminal velocity shortly after release. The results and analyses can serve as a practical guide for the operational safety of handling buoyant modules in deep water. The present method of analyses can be applied to other similar bodies.