LOWERING OF SPOOL THROUGH SPLASH

ZONE
REPORT

Submitted by,
Sebastian
PROBLEM STATEMENT

A spool is to be lowered on to the seabed through the splash zone using a crane vessel. The
dynamic analysis of the operation is conducted using SIMA under two different environmental
conditions:

EC1: JONSWAP wave, Hs=1.5m, Tp=6s, Wave direction = 0°

EC2: JONSWAP wave, Hs=2.5m, Tp=9s, Wave direction = 45°

CALCULATION OF CENTRE OF FORCE (COF)

The Centre of Force (COF) is the point where the sum of buoyancy force and gravity force act upon.
For the spool it is important that the lifting force be applied inline to the COF in order to keep
the spool horizontal in water during the lowering operation.

Sli
Sli
ng Slin Sling
1 g2 ng3
4

Figure 1 Configuration of the spool

The centre of gravity (COG) can be found from the individual COGs of the three sections.

Taking moment of the gravity force about the origin,

(Σ𝑚i𝑔). 𝑥𝑔 = Σ(𝑚i𝑔. 𝑥i)

(Σ𝑚i𝑔). 𝑦𝑔 = Σ(𝑚i𝑔. 𝑦i)

where
𝑥𝑔, 𝑦𝑔𝑎𝑟e 𝑡ℎe 𝑐oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝐶𝑂𝐺
𝑥i , 𝑦i 𝑎𝑟e 𝑡ℎe 𝑐oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝐶𝑂𝐺 of e𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠e𝑐𝑡io𝑘 𝑎𝑘𝑑 𝑚i i𝑠 𝑡ℎe 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 of e𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠e𝑐𝑡io𝑘 (i = 1,2,3)
𝑚
? = 𝐴𝑐𝑐e𝑙e𝑟𝑎𝑡io𝑘 𝑑𝑢e 𝑡o 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣i𝑡𝑦 (9.81 )
𝑠2

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Hence COG of the spool is given by,
𝐶𝑂𝐺 𝑚1 𝑥1 + 𝑚2𝑥2 + 𝑚1𝑦1 + 𝑚2𝑦2 + 𝑚3𝑦3
𝑚3𝑥3
𝑠𝑝oo𝑙 =( , ) − − − − − − − −(1)
𝑚1 + + 𝑚3 𝑚1 + + 𝑚3
𝑚2 𝑚2

Similarly, taking moment of the buoyancy force about the origin,

(Σ𝑉i𝜌𝑔). 𝑥𝑏 = Σ(𝑉i𝜌𝑔. 𝑥i)

(Σ𝑉i𝜌𝑔). 𝑦𝑏 = Σ(𝑉i𝜌𝑔. 𝑦i)

wℎe𝑟e

𝑥𝑏, 𝑦𝑏 𝑎𝑟e 𝑡ℎe 𝑐oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝐶𝑂𝐵

𝑥i , 𝑦i 𝑎𝑟e 𝑡ℎe 𝑐oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝐶𝑂𝐵 of e𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠e𝑐𝑡io𝑘 𝑎𝑘𝑑 𝑉i i𝑠 𝑡ℎe 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑚e𝑟𝑔e𝑑 𝑣o𝑙𝑢𝑚e of e𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠e𝑐𝑡io𝑘
(i = 1,2,3)
𝜌 i𝑠 𝑡ℎe 𝑑e𝑘𝑠i𝑡𝑦 of w𝑎𝑡e𝑟

Hence, centre of buoyancy (COB) is given by,

𝐶𝑂𝐵 𝑉1𝜌𝑥1 + 𝑉2𝜌𝑥2 + 𝑉3𝜌𝑥3 𝑉1𝜌𝑦1 + 𝑉2𝜌𝑦2 + 𝑉3𝜌𝑦3
𝑠𝑝oo𝑙 =( 𝑉 𝜌+𝑉 𝜌+𝑉 𝜌 , 𝑉𝜌+𝑉 𝜌+𝑉 𝜌 ) − − − − − − − (2)
1 2 3 1 2 3

𝑘𝑔
?1 = 3000 ∗ 2.5 𝑚 = 7500 𝑘𝑔
𝑚
𝑘𝑔
?2 = 293 ∗ 30 𝑚 = 8790 𝑘𝑔
𝑚
𝑘𝑔
?3 = 293 ∗ 20 𝑚 = 5860 𝑘𝑔
𝑚
𝑚3
𝑉1 = 0.55 ∗ 2.5 𝑚 = 1.375 𝑚3
?
𝑚3
𝑉2 = 0.0373 ∗ 30 𝑚 = 1.119 𝑚3
𝑚

𝑚
𝑉3 = 0.0373 3 ∗ 20 𝑚 = 0.746 𝑚3
𝑚
The COG for each individual section is at its geometric centre. Since the spool is fully
submerged in water, the COB also acts at the geometric centre. So the x and y coordinates of
COB and COG for each section can be summarized as follows:

xi yi
Sec 1 0 31.25
Sec 2 0 15
Sec 3 -10 0

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Substituting the values into equations (1) and (2),

𝐶𝑂𝐺𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑙 = (−2. 645, 16. 533)

𝐶𝑂𝐵𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑙 = (−2. 302, 18. 442)

It should be noted that the gravity and buoyancy forces act in opposite directions. Since gravity
force is the largest among the two, the sum of these forces act in the same direction as the
gravity force.

Taking moment of gravity force, buoyancy force and total force about the origin,

(𝑀𝑔 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔). 𝑥f = 𝑀𝑔𝑥𝑔 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔𝑥𝑏

(𝑀𝑔 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔). 𝑦f = 𝑀𝑔𝑦𝑔 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔𝑦𝑏

where
𝑀 = 𝑇o𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 of 𝑡ℎe 𝑠𝑝oo𝑙
𝑉 = 𝑇o𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑚e𝑟𝑔e𝑑 𝑣o𝑙𝑢𝑚e of 𝑡ℎe 𝑠𝑝oo𝑙
𝑥f, 𝑦f = 𝐶oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝑡ℎe 𝐶𝑂𝐹 of 𝑡ℎe 𝑠𝑝oo𝑙
𝑥𝑔, 𝑦𝑔 = 𝐶oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝑡ℎe 𝐶𝑂𝐺 of 𝑡ℎe 𝑠𝑝oo𝑙
𝑥𝑏, 𝑦𝑏 = 𝐶oo𝑟𝑑i𝑘𝑎𝑡e𝑠 of 𝑡ℎe 𝐶𝑂𝐵 of 𝑡ℎe 𝑠𝑝oo𝑙
𝑚
? = 𝐴𝑐𝑐e𝑙e𝑟𝑎𝑡io𝑘 𝑑𝑢e 𝑡o 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣i𝑡𝑦 (9.81 )
𝑠2
𝑘𝑔
? = 𝐷e𝑘𝑠i𝑡𝑦 of w𝑎𝑡e𝑟 (1025 )
𝑚3

Hence, the centre of force (COF) is given by,

𝑀𝑔𝑥g − 𝑉𝜌𝑔𝑥𝑏 𝑀𝑔𝑦 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔𝑦
g 𝑏
𝐶𝑂𝐹𝑠𝑝oo𝑙 = ( , )
?𝑔 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔 ?𝑔 − 𝑉𝜌𝑔

Putting in the corresponding values, we get,

𝐶𝑂𝐹𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑙 = (−2. 7, 16. 2)

The lifting hook should be aligned with the COF of the spool to keep the spool horizontal when
submerged into water. This is important for the lowering operation as the spool is required to
be lowered on to the seabed horizontally.

PROCEDURE
The procedure for the analysis of the problem can be summarized as follows:

1. Add body point to the tip of the crane and add a winch. The properties of the winch are to
be specified.
2. Model the hook and give the position at (-10, 32, 25). Add body points to the hook to
connect lift wire and sling wires.
3. Model the spool according to the geometry using slender elements and provide other
required specifications/properties. The global position of the spool is to be given such a

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 way that the COF of the spool is directly below the hook. For that the local origin of the
spool has to be located in global coordinates system as shown below:

x = -10-(-2.7) = -7.3
y = 32-16.2 = 15.8
z=3
Body points are to be added on the spool for attaching slings.
4. Mode the lift wire and the sling wires to connect the crane tip and the hook as well as the
hook and the sling points on the spool. Provide the properties of the wires.
5. Add the environment conditions and provide the water depth.
6. Run static and dynamic analyses.
7. Get the output using post processor task.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Environmental Condition EC1

In this case a JONSWAP wave with significant wave height of 1.5 m and peak period of 6s is
used. The wave is at a direction of 0° w.r.t the vessel bow. Following are the responses of the
system obtained from the dynamic analysis of the operation:

Tension in lift wire:

4
0 1 2 300 4 5 6
0
0
0 0 Tim 0 0 0

3
0 0 e 0 0 0
[s]
Max. Tension [kN]

5
0
3
0
0
2
5
0
2
0
0
1
Figure 2 Tension in the lift wire
5
0
As seen1from the time series, the tension in the lift wire is nearly constant with only a very
small variation
0 during the first 150 s. The winch starts to lower the spool after 100 seconds and
after 1500 seconds, the spool starts to interact with the waves. During this phase the wire
experiences
5 a snap load as the spool comes in and out of the water alternatively. When the
spool interacts
0 with the waves, there is a buoyancy which reduces the tension in the wire. When
the wave moves away and the spool comes out of water, the buoyancy is lost and suddenly there is a
0
snap in the lift wire. This causes the snap load which is the reason for the spikes in the tension from
150 s to 350 s. The maximum value of tension is attained during this phase. After 350 seconds, the
spool is completely submerged in water and the resultant tension in the wire is lower compared
to that in the initial
Page | 4
150 seconds. This is because of the buoyancy force acting on the spool and the resulting weight
reduction. The maximum tension in the lift wire is 350.9 kN.

Tension in the sling wires

Four sling wires connect the hook to the spool. The position of sling points on the spool are as
shown in figure 1. Due to asymmetry of the spool, the sling wires are unequal in length and
experiences different values of tension. The maximum tension in each wire are as follows:

1
0 1 2 300 4 5 6
0
0
0 0 Tim 0 0 0

9
0 0 e 0 0 0

0 [s]
Max. Tension [kN]

8
0
7
0
6
0
5
0
4
0
3
Figure 3 Tension in sling wire 1
0
2
0
1
1 0 1 2 300 4 5 6
2
0
0
0 0 Ti 0 0 0
0 0 0 me 0 0 0
[s]
Max. Tension [kN]

1
0
0

8
0

6
0

4
0 Figure 4 Tension in sling wire 2

2
0

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 4
0 1 2 300 4 5 6
0
3
0 0 Tim 0 0 0

5
0 0 e 0 0 0

Max. Tension [kN]

3
[s]
0
2
5
2
0
1
5
1
0
5
0
Figure 5 Tension in sling wire 3

1
0 1 2 300 4 5 6
2
0
0 0 Tim 0 0 0
0 0 e 0 0 0
Max. Tension (kN)

1
[s]
0
0

8
0

6
0

4
0
Figure 6 Tension in sling wire 4

2
As expected, the tension values for the sling wires follow the same trend as that of the lift wire.
0
The variations are minimum for the first 150 s, experience snap loads for next 200 s and
tension reduces when the spool is fully submerged.
0
Roll and pitch motions of the spool

The roll motion and the pitch motion of the spool are presented as follows. It is to be noted that
the motions of the spool are considered in line with the methodology used to describe vessel
motions, i.e., roll of the spool is rotation about the longitudinal axis of the vessel and pitch of
the spool is the rotation about the transverse axis of the vessel.

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 0.
- 00
- 1 2 3
Tim 4 5 6
00 0 0
0.
0.
4
e0 0 0 0
2
00 0 0 0 0 0 0
00 [s]
2
4
6

Degrees

Figure 7 Roll motion of the spool

-0.00
- 1 2 3
Tim 4 5 6
00 0 0
0. e0 0 0 0
4
2
00 0 0 0 0 0 0
00 [s]
2
4
6
Degrees

Figure 8 Pitch motion of the spool

The roll and pitch motions of the spool are more related to the motions of the vessel in the coupled
system. As can be seen from the above figures, the pitching is more or less uniform throughout
the simulation time whereas the roll reduces when fully submerged.

Environmental Condition EC2

In this case a JONSWAP wave with significant wave height of 2.5 m and peak period of 9 s is
applied. The wave is at a direction of 45° w.r.t the vessel bow. Following are the responses of
the system from the dynamic analysis of the operation:

Page | 7
Tension in the lift wire

4
0 1 2 300 4 5 6
0
0 0 Tim 0 0 0
0
0 0 e 0 0 0
3

Max. Tension [kN]

[s]
5
0
3
0
0
2
5
0
2
0
0
1
5 Figure 9 Tension in the lift wire
0
1
The max. tension
0 follows the same trend as the previous sea state, but it can be seen that there are
less snap load
0 instances when compared to the other sea state. The maximum tension in the lift
wire is 335.76
5 kN.
0
Tension in the sling wires
0
Following are the responses on the sling wires during the lowering operation:

1
0 1 2 300 4 5 6
2
0 0 Tim 0 0 0
0
0 0 e 0 0 0
Max. Tension [kN]

[s]
1
0
0

8
0

6
0

4
0

Figure 10 Tension in sling wire 1

2
0

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90 1 2 300 4 5 6
0 0 0 Tim 0 0 0
8
e

Max. Tension [kN]

0 0 0 0 0
0
[s]
7
0
6
0
5
0
4
0
3
0
2 Figure 11 Tension in sling wire 2
0
1
3
00 1 2 300 4 5 6
0
0 0 0 Tim 0 0 0
0 0 e 0 0 0
Max. Tension [kN]

2
[s]
5

2
0

1
5

1
0

Figure 12 Tension in sling wire 3

5

0 0
1 1 2 300 4 5 6
0 0 0 Tim 0 0 0
0 0 0 e 0 0 0
9
Max. Tension [kN]

[s]
0
8
0
7
0
6
0
5
0
4
0
3 Figure 13 Tension in sling wire 4
0
2
Page | 9
0
1
0
0
The tensions in the sling wires are in similar fashion to that of the previous sea state with sling
wires 1, 2 and 4 having higher tensions and sling wire 3 with low tension.

Roll and pitch motions of the spool

-0. 0 1 2 3
Tim 4 5 6
00 0 0
0. e0 0 0 0
006 0 0 0
[s] 0 0 0
2
0.
-00
Degrees

4
0.
00
40.
00
-2
0.
000
6

-
0. Figure 14 Roll motion of the spool
00
8
-0. 0 1 2 3
Tim 4 5 6
00 0 0
0. e0 0 0 0
004 0 0 0
[s] 0 0 0
2
0.
-00
Degrees

2
0.
00
40

-
0.
00
6

-
0. Figure 15 Roll motion of the spool
00
8

Comparison of two sea states

A comparison of values from the two sea states is provided below. It is seen that the maximum
tensions in the wire couplings are more or less same for the two sea states with only a marginal
difference. The max. tension in lift wire and sling wires are more for EC1than EC2. When it comes
to the roll and pitch motions, EC2 is associated with more degree of rolling and pitching than EC1.

Page | 10
 Table 1 Comparison of two sea states

EC1 EC2
Max. Tension in Lift wire (kN) 350.9 335.76
Max. Tension in Slings Sling wire1 97.41 95.41
(kN) Sling wire 2 89.31 79.52
Sling wire 3 34.66 25.97
Sling wire 4 104.08 90.4
Pitch Angle (°) Max. 2.75 3.4
Min. -4.9 -6.97
Roll Angle (°) Max. 2.71 4.11
Min. -5.17 -6.36

CONCLUSION
From the analysis, it was found out that the tensions in the wire couplings are larger for EC1
compared to EC2, but the difference in values is not significantly high. The motions of the spool
are larger for EC2. This is as expected because EC2 has a higher significant wave height than
EC1 which will increase the motions of the vessel. Since this is a coupled system, the vessel
motions affect the motions of the spool as well. We can see that the max. tension values
experience an abrupt change in values when passing through the splash zone due to snap loads
acting on it. The max. value of tension in the wire couplings are obtained during this period
which is as expected. From the analysis, it can be concluded that the environmental condition
best suited for the operation is EC1 as it involves lesser motions even though the tensions are
marginally higher.

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