• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.317-326
• /
• 2003

The tension leg platform (TLP) is a moored floating offshore structure whose buoyancy is more than its weight. The mooring system, known as tethers, is vulnerable to failure due to extreme (maximum and minimum) tensions. In the present study the reliability of these tethers under maximum and minimum tension (ultimate limit state) has been studied. Von-Mises failure criteria has been adopted to define the failure of a tether against maximum tension. The minimum tension failure criteria has been assumed to meet when the tethers slack due to loss of tension. First Order Reliability method (FORM) has been adopted for reliability assessment. The reliability, in terms of reliability index, and probability of failure has been obtained for twelve sea states. The probabilities of failure so obtained for different sea states have been adopted for the calculation of annual and life time probabilities of failure.

• Proceedings of the Korea Committee for Ocean Resources and Engineering Conference
• /
• 2000.04a
• /
• pp.69-74
• /
• 2000

Linear and nonlinear motion responses of a Tension Leg Platform(TLP) was investigated by model tests. The model tests were carried out at KRISO's Ocean Engineering Basin which has a deep pit of which diameter and depth are 5 meters and 12.5 meters, respectively. Optical sensors were used for measuring drift motions, and a set of accelerometers were employed for analyzing wave frequency motions. ISSC TLP was chosen as the model for the present study. Scale ratio was 1/65 and elastic modelling of tether system were conducted. Very good agreement was obtained between experimental results and theoretical calculations not only in linear motion responses but tension responses, nonlinear wave drift force and double frequency excitations.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.179-193
• /
• 2017

Dynamic response analysis of offshore triceratops with stiffened buoyant legs under impact and non-impact waves is presented. Triceratops is relatively new-generation complaint platform being explored in the recent past for its suitability in ultra-deep waters. Buoyant legs support the deck through ball joints, which partially isolate the deck by not transferring rotation from legs to the deck. Buoyant legs are interconnected using equally spaced stiffeners, inducing more integral action in dispersing the encountered wave loads. Two typical nonlinear waves under very high sea state are used to simulate impact and non-impact waves. Parameters of JONSWAP spectrum are chosen to produce waves with high vertical and horizontal asymmetries. Impact waves are simulated by steep, front asymmetric waves while non-impact waves are simulated using Stokes nonlinear irregular waves. Based on the numerical analyses presented, it is seen that the platform experiences both steady state (springing) and transient response (ringing) of high amplitudes. Response of the deck shows significant reduction in rotational degrees-of-freedom due to isolation offered by ball joints. Weak-asymmetric waves, resulting in non-impact waves cause steady state response. Beat phenomenon is noticed in almost all degrees-of-freedom but values in sway, roll and yaw are considerably low as angle of incidence is zero degrees. Impact waves cause response in higher frequencies; bursting nature of pitch response is a clear manifestation of the effect of impact waves on buoyant legs. Non-impact waves cause response similar to that of a beating phenomenon in all active degrees-of-freedom, which otherwise would not be present under normal loading. Power spectral density plots show energy content of response for a wide bandwidth of frequencies, indicating an alarming behaviour apart from being highly nonlinear. Heave, being one of the stiff degrees-of-freedom is triggered under non-impact waves, which resulted in tether tension variation under non-impact waves as well. Reduced deck response aids functional requirements of triceratops even under impact and non-impact waves. Stiffened group of buoyant legs enable a monolithic behaviour, enhancing stiffness in vertical plane.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 1994

A numerical procedure is described for simultaneously predicting the motion and structural responses of tension leg platforms (TLPs) in multi-directional irregular waves. The developed numerical approach is based on a combination of a three dimensional source distribution method, the finite element method for structurally treating the space frame elements and a spectral analysis technique of directional waves. The spectral description for the linear responses of a structure in the frequency domain is sufficient to completely define the responses. This is because both the wave inputs and the responses are stationary Gaussian ran dom process of which the statistical properties in the amplitude domain are well known. The hydrodynamic interactions among TLP members, such as columns and pontoons, are included in the motion and structural analysis. The effect of wave directionality has been pointed out on the first order motion, tether forces and structural responses of a TLP in multi-directional irregular waves.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.25-38
• /
• 1993

Numerical models of directional wave spectra for the analysis of offshore structural cable responses are verified. Alternative spreading models are used to predict wave-induced flows in water and for mooring systems. Hydrodynamic wave forces upon cable are estimated. using a Morison formula encompassing considerations for drag and for inertial forces both parallel and tangential to the slope of the cable. Numerical analysis for directional random waves. including consideration of displacement and velocity, trajectory, phase plane response. and tension are shown for mooring system cable responses at both the tether point for a buoy and at the anchor point. The effects of wave forces far different drag coefficients, various significant wave heights, and selected wave parameters are considered in the analysis. For the specific systems considered in the examples, it is demonstrated that wave period and height as well as wave spreading function parameters and drag coefficients, have an important effect upon the dynamic responses of the cable-buoy systems.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.64-72
• /
• 1998

Dynamic response analysis is carried out for slender marine structures such as tensioned risers and tethers of tension leg platform, which are subjected to floating vessel motions as well as environmental forces arising from ocean waves. A mumerical analysis procedure is developed by using finite element model of the structural member. Dynamic analses are performed in the time domain for regular waves. Parameter studies are carried out to highlight the effects of surface vessel motions on the lateral dynamics of the structures. Example results of displacements, bending stresses are compared for various in water depth, environmental condition and vessel motion. Some instability conditions of the structures due to time-varying tension by vessel heave motion are discussed through the example analyses. As the results, the interaction between vessel surge and heave motions amplifies the total structural response of a riser. In the case of a tether, the effect of vessel heave motion during heavy storm is seemed to be quite significant to lateral response of the structure.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.109-123
• /
• 2015

In the present study, the coupled dynamic response of a Submerged Floating Tunnel (SFT) and mooring lines under regular waves is solved by using two independent numerical simulation methods, OrcaFlex and CHARM3D, in time domain. Variations of Buoyancy to Weight Ratio (BWR), wave steepness/period, and water/submergence depth are considered as design and environmental parameters in the study. Two different mooring-line configurations, vertical and inclined, are studied to find an optimum design in terms of limiting tunnel motions and minimizing mooring-line tension. The numerical results are successfully validated by direct comparison against published experimental data. The results show that tunnel motions and tether tensions grow with wave height and period and decrease with submergence depth. The inclined mooring system is more effective in restricting tunnel motions compared to the vertical mooring system. Overall, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of this type of structure as an alternative to traditional bridges or under-seabed tunnels.