15 June 2010

Shimizu Modular Seastead Tower Concept

This cross sectional view illustrates the full height and depth of the tower, both above and below the sea surface. The apparent top-heaviness may require additional ballast below the center -- such as an inverted tower with adjustable ballast tanks.
This near-aerial view demonstrates the surface extent of the floating island in comparison to the size of the central tower. Such a large surface area allows for significant wave control.
The modular view illustrates the potential for growth when multiple cells and modules are combined. Since greater size will reduce surface mobility, it will be important to enhance wave control to compensate for inability to move away from large storms.
Cross sectional view emphasizes functional components of the design.
Step by step construction is illustrated by this view. The solution to the ballast problem becomes apparent as one proceeds through the steps.

Previously published at Al Fin The Next Level

via Pink Tentacle

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2 Comments:

Blogger kurt9 said...

It's a cool design, but strikes me as rather "top heavy". How much would this structure rock back and forth with the waves? What about "rogue" waves? These can be as high as 50 meters.

A better design would be to combine this design with a variant of the Gyre design. I think this would make for improved stability in heavy weather and rogue waves.

Tuesday, 15 June, 2010  
Blogger al fin said...

Right. The underwater part needs more work in terms of flotation and ballast.

As we are learning from the Macondo spill, a lot of things can go wrong with human designs and constructions.

Rather than to become reflexively risk-averse (and thus passively suicidal) -- as the current US leadership -- it is better to try to do a better job of doing what has to be done.

One sees a lot of "eye candy" architectural designs on the web which are not necessarily well thought out, particularly on "green" web sites.

Wednesday, 16 June, 2010  

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