Research Article
Research on Static Mechanical Properties of Gravity-Type Deep-Water Net Cage Floating Collar System Under Different Spacing Between Connecting Frames
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, December 2026
Pages:
17-30
Received:
10 August 2026
Accepted:
20 August 2026
Published:
9 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ae.20261002.11
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Abstract: As global demand for seafood escalates, offshore marine aquaculture has increasingly expanded into open-ocean environments. Gravity-type deep-water net cages are widely used in marine aquaculture due to their cost-effectiveness and resistance to wave action. The floating collar system, typically constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, serves as the primary load-bearing component and plays a crucial role in maintaining overall structural safety and buoyancy, with the connecting frames arrangement being particularly crucial. However, there is no standardized spacing for connecting frames, making research on their mechanical influence essential for design optimization. This study systematically evaluated the static performance of net cages under varying frame spacing and cage sizes using numerical simulation software ANSYS. Results show that under tensile loading, maximum stress increases at an accelerating rate with larger frame spacing. In contrast, under bending and torsion, stress initially rises before declining. Equivalent stiffness consistently declines with greater spacing, though the rate varies by loading condition. Furthermore, enlarging the cage circumference consistently decreases equivalent stiffness across all cases and generally elevates maximum stress, particularly under tensile and bending loads. Notably, cage circumference exerts a more pronounced impact on mechanical performance than frame spacing, particularly in bending scenarios where structural deformation is most critical. Compared to torsion, bending loads result in higher maximum stress and lower equivalent stiffness, indicating that the structure is highly vulnerable to bending-induced deformation and requires additional reinforcement. These findings can offer practical guidance for optimizing the connecting frame arrangement and improving the structural design of floating collar systems in gravity-type deep-water net cages.
Abstract: As global demand for seafood escalates, offshore marine aquaculture has increasingly expanded into open-ocean environments. Gravity-type deep-water net cages are widely used in marine aquaculture due to their cost-effectiveness and resistance to wave action. The floating collar system, typically constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pip...
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,
Jingfu Peng
