MARINE OPERATIONS ANS TECHNOLOGY

Contents

The course gives a thorough introduction to and understanding of

hydrodynamics, linear wave theory and calculation of on wave forces on
marine structures and pipelines. Both static and dynamic evaluations are
carried out and extreme values are being calculated. Furthermore an
introduction to wind and wind loads is given. Principles for the dimensioning
of structures are being discussed. Furthermore, stability of floating
structures is discussed. Realistic design of fixed space frame offshore
structures is being discussed.

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MARINE OPERATIONS ANS TECHNOLOGY

Contents

Important themes are:

This course can be considered an extension of the course OFF580, Marine
Technology and Design: dynamics of structures exposed to wave loads and
modeling of waves as stochastic processes will here be considered. An
introduction to vessel types and vessel response as well as mooring and
dynamic positioning of vessels will be given. Different types of marine
operations will be discussed. Themes such as weather windows and marine
operations, towing, crane operations and underwater installation works are
part of the course. Furthermore, risk assessments associated with marine
operations will be part of the course.

Anchor loads in taut moorings: The impact of inverse catenary

shakedown

Abstract
Taut mooring systems have become prospective alternatives for the station
keeping of offshore floating facilities in deep water. The associated
embedded anchors cause a part of the mooring line to be buried in the
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MARINE OPERATIONS ANS TECHNOLOGY

seabed − the inverse catenary − which

introduces a requirement to predict the load and uplift angle at the padeye,
where the chain is connected to the anchor. The padeye load and angle
depend on the shape and tension profile of the inverse catenary, which
must be assessed in the mooring system design. The dynamic interaction
between the embedded chain and the soil in the inverse catenary is not
usually considered in this analysis. Instead, the inverse catenary is
assessed statically, albeit potentially using cyclically-degraded soil strength
parameters. The present study employs the lumped mass method to
simulate the dynamic response of mooring lines under different imposed
oscillations at the fairlead, where the chain is connected to the floating
facility. A new chain-soil interaction model, which includes hysteresis effects
associated with irrecoverable relative chain-soil displacement is calibrated
by experimental results. Simulations of cyclic vessel motion are then
performed, and the resulting chain-seabed interaction is observed. During
constant-amplitude vessel motion cycles, the load angle at the padeye
significantly decreases due to progressive ratcheting or ‘shakedown’ of the
inverse catenary from the initial static profile towards a straighter profile.
This effect is due to the hysteretic soil response and creates a less onerous
loading condition for the anchor which may be beneficial, but is
conventionally overlooked in design. At the end of the present study, an
elastic bound method is proposed to estimate the profile of the inverse
catenary after shakedown. A parametric study illustrates the performance
of this simple method for predicting the steady state condition.

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