This paper presents the results of wind load CFD calculations performed on the simplified topside structures of a drillship. The CFD calculations were carried out for two configurations: with and without the drilling derrick. The CFD calculations were performed at model scale and by applying an atmospheric boundary layer profile. The full range of heading angles was considered. In order to validate the CFD model for wind load calculations, the CFD results were compared with the wind tunnel measurements which were carried out at BMT Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel in London, UK, for the same drillship model and configurations. Furthermore, the applied boundary layer profiles throughout the computational domain were verified and compared with those profiles measured in the wind tunnel. It was found that the CFD results are in good agreement with the wind tunnel measurements and provide valuable insights into the physics of wind loads acting on the topside structures of a drillship.
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