Investigation on the Use of Different Approaches to Mooring Analysis and Appropriate Safety Factors

Author(s):  
Sojan Vasudevan ◽  
Paul Westlake

This paper presents the results of the analyses of a twelve line catenary mooring system using a quasi-static method in the frequency domain, and uncoupled and coupled dynamic methods in the time domain. The latter is found to produce significantly higher tensions. The reasons for these differences are investigated. The minimum line tension safety factors required by design codes do not distinguish between uncoupled and coupled dynamic analyses and some codes use the same factors even for quasi-static analyses. Consequently, the present mooring system passes the acceptance criteria based on quasistatic frequency domain and uncoupled dynamic time domain analyses but does not meet the same criteria when a coupled dynamic time domain analysis is employed. It is understood that because the coupled time domain analysis determines the vessel motions using all forces the accuracy of mooring line tension estimation will be improved over other methods. Hence the application of less conservative safety factors is proposed.

Author(s):  
Siril Okkenhaug ◽  
Jan Mathisen ◽  
Torfinn Hørte

DNV is currently running a Joint Industry Project, “NorMoor JIP”, on calibration of safety factors for mooring lines together with several oil companies, engineering companies, rig-owners, manufacturers of mooring line components and Norwegian authorities. Our motivation for initiating a study on mooring line safety factors started out with questions raised with regards to the safety level given by the Norwegian regulations. However, this is equally important for other mooring regulations like ISO, API and class-regulations. What we see is that the mooring standards are interpreted and applied in different ways. The reliability level implied by the regulations is not known, and the present safety factors were set when frequency domain analysis was prevalent while time domain analysis is often applied today. DNV carried out the DeepMoor JIP [9] during 1995–2000 using frequency domain analysis and reliability-based calibration. Now, a decade later, the increase in computing capacity makes it feasible to carry out a similar calibration for time-domain analysis of the mooring systems. The objective of the project work is to investigate and compare the characteristic line tension calculated according to design standards with the annual extreme value distribution of the line tension. Further, to calibrate safety factors for mooring line design for the ultimate limit state (ULS) as a function of the target probability of failure. The original proposal for this JIP included calculations for chain and wire rope moorings on a typical drill rig and a turret moored FPSO at three different water depths at Haltenbanken. However, since this JIP has been very well received in the industry, the scope has been extended to include calculations for a production semisubmersible, for fibre rope systems and for Gulf of Mexico environmental conditions. This paper will focus on the reasons for doing this calibration study, and the importance of seeking to agree on unified calculation recipes and requirements. Preliminary results for characteristic tension and annual extreme value distributions of tension for some designs are presented and discussed. The calibration of safety factors will be carried out later in the project when all designs are finalized.


Author(s):  
Spiro J. Pahos ◽  
Georgina Maldonado ◽  
Paul C. Westlake

Abstract Traditionally mooring line strength assessment is based on a deterministic approach, where the mooring system is evaluated for a design environment defined by a return period. The mooring system response is then checked against the mooring strength to ensure a required factor of safety. Some codes adopt a deterministic approach [1], [2], [3]. Other codes like [4] adopt a partial safety factor format where uncertainties are addressed through load factors for load components and material factors for line strength. Industry practices give guidance on mooring analysis methodology together with analysis options like coupled, de-coupled, time domain, frequency domain and the associated line tension safety factors. Prior work has demonstrated that discrepancies in mooring line tensions are observed when different analytical approaches are used [5]. Namely, the mooring line tensions of a semi-submersible unit in a coupled time domain analysis, were found to be non-compliant, whereas those calculated using a decoupled time domain analysis returned compliant tensions. This work focuses on a coupled dynamic analysis where all inertial, hydrodynamic and mechanical forces are assessed to determine the subsequent motions. Despite being considered the most accurate to capture the true dynamic response, a coupled analysis is also the least efficient in terms of the required computer resources and engineering effort [1]. This paper presents further discussion on the above observation in mooring tensions and also considers differences in the installation’s excursion. All responses are evaluated in the time domain where the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the mooring lines, slowly varying wave drift forces and coupling effects are captured. Agreement is found in the present computations, carried out with two renowned hydrodynamic codes, which validate former results and reiterate the need to distinguish between time domain methods and recommended appropriate safety factors accordingly.


1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Goh

The convergence of learning control is traditionally analyzed in the time domain. This is because a finite planning horizon is often assumed and the analysis in time domain can be extended to time-varying and nonlinear systems. For linear time-invariant (LTI) systems with infinite planning horizon, however, we show that simple frequency domain techniques can be used to quickly derive several interesting results not amenable to time-domain analysis, such as predicting the rate of convergence or the design of optimum learning control law. We explain a paradox arising from applying the finite time convergence criterion to the infinite time learning control problem, and propose the use of current error feedback for controlling possibly unstable systems.


Author(s):  
Arcandra Tahar ◽  
John Halkyard ◽  
Mehernosh Irani

The Horn Mountain Spar is located in 1,654 m of water about 135 km from Venice, Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. The facility was instrumented extensively to measure key spar and riser response parameters (Edwards et. al. 2003). Halkyard et. al. (2004) and Tahar et. al. (2005) have compared measured spar responses such as motion and mooring line tensions with numerical predictions. This paper extends the work done on comparison of the full scale data during hurricane Isidore. All previous numerical simulations were based on a time domain analysis procedure. One concern related to this method is that it is computationally intensive and time consuming. In the initial stages of a project, a frequency domain solution may be an effective tool compared with a fully coupled time domain analysis. The present paper compares results of time domain and frequency domain simulations with field measurements. Particular attention has been placed on the importance of the phase relationship between motion and excitation force. In the time domain analysis, nonlinear drag forces are applied at the instantaneous position. Whereas in the frequency domain analysis, nonlinear drag forces are stochastically linearized and solutions are obtained by an iterative procedure. The time domain analysis has better agreement with the field data compared to the frequency domain. Overall, however, the frequency domain method is still promising for a quick and approximate estimation of relevant statistics. With advantages in terms of CPU time, the frequency domain method can be recommended as a tool in pre-front end engineering design or in a phase where an iterative nature of design of an offshore structure takes place.


Author(s):  
Chan K. Yang ◽  
D. H. Lee ◽  
M. H. Kim ◽  
B. N. Park ◽  
Y. T. Yang ◽  
...  

In this paper, the float-off operation of a land-built crude oil tank (COT) loaded out and towed on launching dual-submersible barges is numerically simulated by a time-domain vessel-mooring-riser coupled dynamic analysis program with multiple floating bodies. The study is particularly focused on the maximum load prediction on connectors and the minimum gap prediction between barges and the COT. In case of simpler modeling, the time-domain simulation results are compared with frequency-domain results. Then, the time-domain model is run for more realistic situation with hawsers and mooring line. In hydrodynamic analysis, the interactions among the 3 floating bodies are fully taken into consideration. In the frequency-domain analysis, the connectors between barges are modeled by equivalent translational and rotational springs, the stiffness of which is estimated using Euler’s beam theory. In order to assess the possible occurrence of contact between COT and barges, the relative motions between barges and the COT at several points of interest were investigated.


DIALOGO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Catalin Nutu

This paper analyses data available from the last fifty years, with regard to Earth and it has the purpose to analyze them from both perspectives: the time domain analysis and spectral-domain analysis. Following this analysis, one can conclude about the correlations within the analyzed data or about forecasted future evolution and necessary measures to be taken in order to reduce the dangers.


Author(s):  
Jiaguo Feng ◽  
Yi Yu ◽  
Yan Qu ◽  
Wenhui Xie ◽  
Min Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract The stability of platform is important to ensure the platforms are safe, especially during the mooring line breaking process in typhoon condition. The paper presents a stability analysis method for floating platforms of the mooring line breaking process based on the time-domain analysis. The time-domain simulation during the mooring line breaking is provided. The time of the mooring line break, the max tilt angle of platform and the amended equivalent overturning moment are calculated for the stability analysis. The results show that the platform would have a serious tilt when the mooring line breaks, this increases the overturning moments and may cause the platform not meets the stability requirements during this process. It is necessary to pay attention to the stability problem during the mooring line breaking process in typhoon condition. And properly locating the down-flooding points is recommended to avoide the stability problem.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songmao Pu ◽  
Peiwei Sun ◽  
Xinyu Wei

Abstract The heat pipe cooled reactor adopts the solid-state reactor design concept and the heat is passively transferred out of the core through heat pipes. It is characterized by high inherent safety and simple operation and has broad application prospects in deep space exploration and propulsion, sea submarine navigation and exploration. The design of heat pipe cooled reactor is unique, and its dynamics are different from traditional water-cooled reactors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop its dynamic model and perform dynamic analysis, and in this paper, the study object of the heat pipe cooled reactor is the 100kW nuclear silent thermoelectric reactor (NUSTER-100). A nonlinear dynamic model is derived from the conservation equations of mass, energy and momentum. Point reactor kinetics equations are adopted. The linear dynamic model is constructed by linearization of the nonlinear model based on the disturbance theory and the transfer function is further derived applying Laplace transform. Both models including the nonlinear model and transfer function model are established on the MATLAB & Simulink simulation platform. Dynamic characteristic analysis contains time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis. For the time domain analysis, by introducing a variety of boundary condition disturbances, the results were compared with those from transfer function. The results are consistent and can correctly reflect the dynamic characteristics of the heat pipe cooled reactor. Therefore, the transfer function model can be applied to the subsequent design of the heat pipe cooled reactor power control system. For the dynamic analysis, it is divided into time domain and frequency domain. The time domain is to observe the change of core power and sodium temperature by introducing reactivity disturbance. For the frequency domain, after drawing the Bode plot of the transfer function, the system’s characteristics at different frequencies are analyzed. In addition, it can provide a theoretical basis for the design of the heat pipe cooled reactor power control system.


2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanan Sheng ◽  
Anthony Lewis

In developing a wave energy converter (WEC), assessing and rating the device is a difficult, but important issue. Conventionally, a large scaled device (maybe large enough for accommodating a power takeoff (PTO) system) or prototype device is needed to be tested in wave tanks or in seas in different wave conditions so that a power matrix for the device can be defined using scaling or interpolation/extrapolation methods. Alternatively, a pure numerical simulation in time-domain may be used for assessing the power capture capacities of wave energy devices. For the former, it is convincing, but can be especially difficult in the early stages of development, when small scaled models are normally used; and for the latter, the pure numerical simulation may not be very reliable and convincing, especially when the dynamic problem is very complicated. In this paper, a method for assessing the captured wave power for a device from its power capture response is presented. In the proposed method, a measured or calculated linear power capture response of the device is combined with wave spectrum to compute the average captured power function. Once the average captured power function is obtained, the overall average captured power corresponding to the wave state can be easily calculated. If a linear power capture response is obtained from a model test, the power assessment based on this proposed method can be very convincing and reliable. To illustrate the application of the proposed method, an example of a fully linear dynamic system, including the linear hydrodynamics of the floating structure and a linear power takeoff, is considered. For such a system, the frequency-domain analysis can be employed to obtain the performance of the floating device under waves and the power takeoff system. The hydrodynamic performance of the wave energy converter is then used to define the power capture response and to calculate the average captured power functions in different sea states. Then, the captured power of the device in different sea states, i.e, the power matrix, can be calculated, and accordingly, the device can be assessed and rated. To validate the proposed method, a time-domain analysis is also performed for a cross-check. In the time-domain analysis, the hydrodynamic coefficients and responses are first assessed in frequency-domain, and then transformed into the relevant terms by means of impulse response functions for establishing the time-domain (TD) equation. By comparing the results from frequency-domain and time-domain analyses of irregular waves, it can be concluded that the proposed wave energy capture assessment method can be used in assessing or rating the device.


Author(s):  
Siril Okkenhaug ◽  
Torfinn Hørte ◽  
Øivind Paulshus

DNV GL is currently running a Joint Industry Project, “NorMoor JIP”, with participants from oil companies, engineering companies, rig-owners, manufacturers and marine authorities. It is a global study covering Gulf of Mexico, Northern Europe and Brazil waters. Our motivation for initiating a study on mooring line reliability was that all the global standards (API, ISO, DNV GL, others) are mostly based on work from late 1990s, when frequency domain analysis was prevalent. The reliability level implied by these regulations is not known, and we also see that the mooring standards are interpreted and applied differently. Thus, there is a need for a mooring design code with a consistent analysis methodology and with safety factors that are in line with this methodology and calibrated at an appropriate target reliability level. This is achieved through reliability-based calibration for a range of different units, mooring systems, water depths and geographical locations. The focus in the present paper is the calibration of safety factors and selection of target reliability level. The underlying probabilistic analysis results used for the calibration are reported in two accompanying papers at OMAE 2017, [1] and [2], dealing with structural reliability analyses for the ULS and ALS respectively. For mobile units frequency domain analyses are common, and although the main attention in the JIP is towards time domain analyses, it is part of the JIP to calibrate safety factors for frequency domain analyses as well. The annual extreme value distribution of line tension for all cases is calculated in time domain and is applied both in the calibration of safety factors for time domain and frequency domain analyses. It is seen that characteristic tensions from time domain analyses are likely to be higher than those from frequency domain analyses. The dilemma of not being penalized when using more refined time domain analyses is discussed, and different safety factors have been suggested for use with time domain and frequency domain analyses. A discussion about target reliability level is included, and the target levels are proposed with basis in the existing mooring design practice for mobile units, where frequency domain analysis is prevalent. Different targets are proposed depending on consequences of failure. Calibration for different design formats are carried out. The current format using a single safety factor is challenged with a format with two safety factors. The objective is to arrive as close as possible to the target reliability for all cases analyzed. A different design philosophy is needed in the Gulf of Mexico in order to achieve acceptable risk, and options are discussed. The present work provides a unique and comprehensive set of results, where advanced reliability methods are used to calibrate a mooring design code where the mooring line tensions are calculated in the time domain. The results provide a basis for regulators, such as ISO, to update their rules. ULS and ALS are covered here, and a potential phase 3 of the JIP will cover the fatigue limit state. When the NorMoor JIP is completed the plan is to implement the results into DNVGL-OS-E301, [5].


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