• Journal of Wind Energy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2024

Rapid progress is being made in foundational technology research and engineering for the construction of floating offshore wind farms. There is active development of technology for detachable mooring systems, which have strengths in addressing maintenance issues that arise in floating offshore wind farms and enhance their economic viability. Conventional detachable mooring systems use Kenter links inserted into the middle of mooring chains, which require excessive time for retrieval by Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels during detachment operations. Moreover, these operations pose risks of link damage and accidents. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a new concept of detachable mooring systems. The proposed detachable mooring system in this study simultaneously integrates a fairlead chain stoppers (FCS) and submersible mooring pulleys (SMP), which enables all operations to be conducted on the AHTS vessel without underwater tasks. This study detailed the design and safety evaluation of the SMP, a core component of the detachable mooring system, based on the minimum breaking load (MBL) of selected mooring lines according to the capacity of the floating platform. It referenced international codes (AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings D5, Pin-Connected Members) for design verification and performed finite element analysis to evaluate the strength of major components in installation and operation scenarios. Additionally, procedures and techniques for evaluating the structural strength of components under uncertain boundary conditions were proposed.

• Journal of Ship and Ocean Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.26-39
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• 2004

A vessel/mooring/riser coupled dynamic analysis program in time domain is developed for the global motion simulation of a turret-moored, tanker based FPSO designed for 6000-ft water depth. The vessel global motions and mooring tension are simulated for the non-parallel wind-wave-current 100-year hurricane condition in the Gulf of Mexico. The wind and current forces and moments are estimated from the OCIMF empirical data base for the given loading condition. The numerical results are compared with the OTRC(Offshore Technology Research Center: Model Basin for Offshore Platforms in Texas A&M University) 1:60 model-testing results with truncated mooring system. The system's stiffness and line tension as well as natural periods and damping obtained from the OTRC measurement are checked through numerically simulated static-offset and free-decay tests. The global vessel motion simulations in the hurricane condition were conducted by varying lateral and longitudinal hull drag coefficients, different mooring and riser set up, and wind-exposed areas to better understand the sensitivity of the FPSO responses against empirical parameters. It is particularly stressed that the dynamic mooring tension can be greatly underestimated when truncated mooring system is used.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2017

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the motions and mooring characteristics of a floating vertical axis wind turbine system. Based on a comparison of regular wave experiment results, the motions of structures with different types of mooring are almost the same. Based on the tension response results of a regular wave experiment with a catenary mooring system, the mooring lines in front of the structure have a larger tension effect than the back of the structure by the drifted offset of the structure. The dynamic response spectrum of the structure in the irregular wave experiments showed no significant differences in response to differences in the mooring system. As a result of the comparison of the tension response spectra, the mooring lines have a larger value with a drifted offset for the structure, as shown in the previous regular wave experiment. The results of the dynamic response of the structure under irregular wave and wind conditions showed that the heave motion response is influenced by the coupled effect with the mooring lines of the surge and pitch motion due to the drifted offset and steady heeling. In addition, the mooring lines in front of the structure have a very large tension force compared to the mooring lines in back of the structure as a result of the drifted offset of the structure.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.690-699
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• 2011

A numerical model analysis was performed to analyze the stability of the mooring lines of an automatic submersible fish cage system in waves and currents. The fish cage system consisted of a 12-angled rigid frame, net cage, cover net, 12 upper floats, 12 tanks(for fixed and variable ballast), mooring lines, anchors, and a control station. Simulations were performed with the cage at the surface of the water and at a depth of 20 m. A Morison equation type model was used for simulations of the system in two configurations. The force parameters described both regular and random waves, with and without currents, and their values were input to the model. Mooring tension calculations were conducted on the mooring lines, grid lines and lower bridle lines of the cage. The stability of the mooring lines was checked under both static and dynamic conditions.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2013

Floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facilities are used at most of the offshore oil fields worldwide. FPSO usage is expected to grow as oil fields move to deeper water, thus requiring the reliability and stability of mooring wires and risers in extreme environmental conditions. Except for the case of predictable attack angles of external loadings, FPSO facilities with turret single point mooring (SPM) systems are in general use. There are two types of turret systems: permanent systems and disconnectable turret mooring systems. Extreme environment criteria for permanent moorings are usually based on a 100-year return period event. It is common to use two or three environments including the 100-year wave with associated wind and current, and the 100-year wind with associated waves and current. When fitted with a disconnectable turret mooring system, FPSOs can be used in areas where it is desirable to remove the production unit from the field temporarily to prevent exposure to extreme events such as cyclones or large icebergs. Static and dynamic mooring analyses were performed to evaluate the stability of a spider buoy after disconnection from a turret during cyclone environmental conditions.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.171-210
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• 2024

This paper focuses on the rigorous and holistic fatigue analysis of mooring chains for a deep draft semi-submersible platform in the challenging environment of the central Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Known for severe hurricanes and strong loop/eddy currents, this region significantly impacts offshore structures and their mooring systems, necessitating robust designs capable of withstanding extreme wind, wave and current conditions. Wave scatter and current bin diagrams are utilized to assess the probabilistic distribution of waves and currents, crucial for calculating mooring chain fatigue. The study evaluates the effects of Vortex Induced Motion (VIM), Out-of-Plane-Bending (OPB), and In-Plane-Bending (IPB) on mooring fatigue, alongside extreme single events such as 100-year hurricanes and loop/eddy currents including ramp-up and ramp-down phases, to ensure resilient mooring design. A detailed case study of a deep draft semi-submersible platform with 16 semi-taut moorings in 2,500 meters of water depth in the central GoM provides insights into the relative contributions of wave scatter diagram, VIMs from current bin diagram, the combined stresses of OPB/IPB/TT and extreme single events. By comparing these factors, the study aims to enhance understanding and optimize mooring system design for safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in offshore operations within the central GoM. The paper addresses a research gap by proposing a holistic approach that integrates findings from various contributions to advance current practices in mooring design. It presents a comprehensive framework for fatigue analysis and design optimization of mooring systems in the central GoM, emphasizing the critical importance of considering environmental conditions, OPB/IPB moments, and extreme single events to ensure the safety and reliability of mooring systems for offshore platforms.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.286-303
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• 2002

Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) has attempted moored current measurements since 1978. This note describes mooring types and failures of moorings deployed in coastal and continental shelf regions around Korea. Taut-wire U-type mooring lines and trawl-resistant bottom mounts have been mainly used in shallow seas. In order to avoid the failure of moorings in the shallow seas, it is needed to (1) design a proper mooring plan considering local mooring environments including fishing activities and (2) use adequate mooring equipments and parts considering mooring period, depth, and other factors that could affect the mooring unexpectedly.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2017

Growing demand and rapid development of the synthetic fiber rope in mooring system have taken place since it has been used in deep water platform lately. Unlike a chain mooring, synthetic fiber rope composed of lightweight materials such as Polyester(polyethylene terephthalate), HMPE(high modulus polyethylene) and Aramid(aromatic polyamide). Non-linear stiffness and another failure mode are distinct characteristics of synthetic fiber rope when compared to mooring chain. When these ropes are exposed to environmental load for a long time, the length of rope will be increased permanently. This is called 'the creep phenomenon'. Due to the phenomenon, The initial characteristics of mooring systems would be changed because the length and stiffness of the rope have been changed as time goes on. The changed characteristics of fiber rope cause different mooring tension and vessel offset compared to the initial design condition. Commercial mooring analysis software that widely used in industries is unable to take into account this phenomenon automatically. Even though the American Petroleum Institute (API) or other classification rules present some standard or criteria with respect to length and stiffness of a mooring line, simulation guide considers the mechanical properties that is not mentioned in such rules. In this paper, the effect of creep phenomenon in the fiber rope mooring system under specific environment condition is investigated. Desiged mooring system for a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit(MODU) with HMPE rope which has the highest creep is analyzed in a time domain in order to investigate the effects creep phenomenon to vessel offset and mooring tension. We have developed a new procedure to an analysis of mooring system reflecting the creep phenomenon and it is validated through a time domain simulation using non-linear mooring analysis software, OrcaFlex. The result shows that the creep phenomenon should be considered in analysis procedure because it affects the length and stiffness of synthetic fiber rope in case of high water temperature and permanent mooring system.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.178-201
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• 2019

The appropriate design of a mooring system to maintain the position of an offshore structure in deep sea under various environmental loads is important. Fatigue design of the mooring line considering OPB/IPB(out-of-plane bending/in-plane bending) became an essential factor after the incident of premature fatigue failure of the mooring chain due to OPB/IPB in the Girassol region in West Africa. In this study, mooring line fatigue analysis was performed considering the OPB/IPB of a spread moored FPSO in deep sea. The tension of the mooring line was derived by hydrodynamic analysis using the de-coupled analysis method. The floater motion time histories were calculated under the assumption that the mooring line behaves in quasi-static manner. Additional time domain analysis was carried out by prescribing the obtained motions on top of the selected critical mooring line, which was determined based on spectral fatigue analysis. In addition, nonlinear finite element analysis was performed considering the material nonlinearities, and both the interlink stiffness and stress concentration factors were derived. The fatigue damage to the chain surface was estimated by combining both the hydrodynamic and stress analysis results.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.514-514
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• 2017

Floating breakwaters were treated as solid bodies without any perforation in previous studies. In this study, however, a floating breakwater is perforated to allow the partial absorption of the energy produced by incident waves and an air chamber is placed in the upper part to control the breakwater draft. A series of laboratory experiments for a floating breakwater installed with a mooring system are carried out. In general, a mooring system can be classified by the number of mooring points, the shape of the mooring lines, and the degree of line tension. In this study, a four-point mooring is employed since it is relatively easier to analyze the measured results. Furthermore, both the tension-leg and the catenary mooring systems have been adopted to compare the performance of the system. In laboratory experiments, the hydraulic characteristics of a floating breakwater were obtained and analyzed in detail. Also, a hydraulic model test was carried out on variable changes by changing the mooring angle and thickness of perforated wall. A hydraulic model was designed to produce wave energy by generating a vortex with the existing reflection method. Analysis on wave changes was conducted and the flow field around the floating breakwater and draft area, which have elastic behavior, was collected using the PIV system. From the test results the strong vortex was identified in the draft area of the perforated both-sides-type floating breakwater. Also, the wave control performance of the floating breakwater was improved due to the vortex produced as the tension in the mooring line decreased.