Abstract
An improved numerical scheme, to which the hydroelastic method is adapted, is introduced for predicting the motion and structural responses of tension leg platforms(TLPs) in regular waves. The numerical approach in this work is based on a combination of the three dimensional source distribution method and the finite element method. The hydrodynamic interactions among TLP members, such as columns and pontoons, are included in the motion and structural response analysis. The drag forces on the submerged slender members, which are proportional to the square of relative velocity, are included in order to estimate the responses of members with better accuracy. Comparisons with other results verify the works in this paper.