A hydrodynamic coupled analysis between offshore column structures and middle-class remotely operated vehicles

Traditional ROV hydrodynamic design only considers steady open-water flow, ignoring structural influences in operational scenarios. However, ROVs working near column structures (e.g. offshore platforms) are affected by cylindrical wake vortices and Kármán vortex street, challenging stable control. This study investigates ROV straight-line navigation hydrodynamics by varying three parameters: ROV-to-cylinder distance (X*), flow velocity (U*), and cylinder diameter (D*). Results show: X* reduced from 4D to 1D decreases peak drag and moment coefficients by 53.6% and 77.3% respectively; U* increased from 1 to 3 m/s reduces peak drag by 23.5%; D* enlarged from 0.5D to 2D increases peak drag by 59% and amplifies peak moment 9.5-fold. 2D flow field analysis identifies three wake-induced forces on ROV, revealing flow separation and drag distribution mechanisms.