CFD Analysis on Similarity Criteria of Hydrodynamic Characteristics for Gravity-Installed Anchors

Author(s):  
Jiancai Gao ◽  
Haixiao Liu

Abstract For reduced-scale model tests of gravity-installed anchors (GIAs), it is of great significance to extrapolate the testing results to prototype. This highlights the necessity of investigation of similarity criteria. The present work aims to find the similarity criteria of three prioritized hydrodynamic characteristics including VT, HP, and Cd for GIAs during installation in water through CFD simulations. In the present study, free falling processes of different reduced-scale T98 anchor models and prototype anchor is simulated, from which VT, HP, and Cd are extracted and analyzed to get the fitting curves for these three characteristics over reduced-scale λ. Based on these curves, hydrodynamic characteristics for prototype and other reduced-scale model can be extrapolated from model testing results. And, the researching procedure in this paper sets an example and reference to study about similarity criteria for other hydrodynamic characteristics.

Author(s):  
Michael Borg ◽  
Anthony Viselli ◽  
Christopher K. Allen ◽  
Matthew Fowler ◽  
Christoffer Sigshøj ◽  
...  

Abstract As part of the process of deploying new floating offshore wind turbines, scale model testing is carried out to de-risk and verify the design of novel foundation concepts. This paper describes the testing of a 1:43 Froude-scaled model of the TetraSpar Demo floating wind turbine prototype that shall be installed at the Metcentre test facility, Norway. The TetraSpar floating foundation concept consists of a floater tetrahedral structure comprising of braces connected together through pinned connections, and a triangular keel structure suspended below the floater by six suspension lines. A description of the experimental setup and program at the Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab at University of Maine is given. The objective of the test campaign was to validate the initial design, and contribute to the development of the final demonstrator design and numerical models. The nonlinear hydrodynamic characteristics of the design are illustrated experimentally and the keel suspension system is shown to satisfy design criteria.


2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Fraser Bransby ◽  
Michael Brown ◽  
Andrew Hatherley ◽  
Keith Lauder

Offshore pipelines are often buried in the seabed by ploughing a trench, placing the pipe at the base, and then backfilling. The ploughing operation is critical in terms of cost and project time, with increased risk due to uncertain soil conditions or geohazards. One problem that can be encountered is the presence of sand waves or megaripples on the seabed surface. This may affect the progress of the plough, prevent the plough from generating a level trench or modify the size of the spoil heaps for backfilling. These aspects have been investigated by conducting a series of small-scale model tests in the laboratory. These have revealed information about the plough kinematics and the resulting trench conditions when ploughing in sand waves with different wavelengths and amplitudes. It is shown that it may be possible to plough through regions of sand waves and estimate likely plough performance by knowing the sand wavelength and amplitude relative to the plough size.


1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 206-214
Author(s):  
Bruce J. Muga

Abstract A 100-ft-square construction-type platform excited by unidirectional random surface gravity waves was studied in the field, at reduced scale in the laboratory, and by using the linear theory of rigid ships' motion. The platform was spread-moored in about 165 ft of water in the open Pacific Ocean. Water-level variations at three locations, ship rotations and accelerations, mooring forces, and wind velocity were measured in Sea States 2 and 3 (Neumann wind model). A Sea State 4 was simulated in the laboratory. Three recordings each (representing nearly beam-on, quartering and stem-on seas) of the prototype and model tests were analyzed using prototype and model tests were analyzed using time-series techniques to provide amplitude-response operators for all of the ship's motions and mooring forces. The amplitude-response operators were computed from a linear theory based on the slender body approximation. The in-line coupled equations of motion are formulated for the 6 degrees of freedom and solved literally and numerically. The results in the form of complex-response operators are compared with those obtained from the prototype and model measurements. Generally, the agreement in both amplitude and phase is excellent for the surge, sway, roll, heave and pitch motions. Discrepancies found for certain heading and wavelength (or wave frequency) combinations are easily explained by the presence of crosscoupling terms or values of damping coefficientsIt is found that the linear theory of ships' motion using the slender-body approximation is an adequate tool for predicting the behavior of moored platforms in Sea States of up to 3. Introduction Ships of conventional design seldom operate at zero speed in significant waves. As a consequence, only a trivial amount of data has been published on the motions of ships at zero speed. Zero-speed studies of models in the laboratory are difficult to conduct because of the requirement of eliminating wave reflections from the tank sides. Data on the behavior of moored ships, barges and special purpose platforms is scarcer than that for models. platforms is scarcer than that for models. Nevertheless, the recent and continuing demands for ocean construction underline the need for knowledge in this area. The present study is intended to contribute pertinent information. The present study consists of: present study consists of:Analysis of the measurements of the motions induced on an instrumented prototype barge by irregular waves as moored in the open Pacific Ocean in approximately 165 ft of water off San Clemente Island.Analysis of the measurements of the motions induced on a dynamically similar reduced-scale model barge by irregular waves.Determination of the motion response of the barge to representative sea states by application of the linear theory of ships' motion.Selected comparisons of the results obtained from Statements 1 through 3. Interest usually centers on the forces induced in the mooring lines. These forces may be obtained from the motions, once the latter are determined. PROTOTYPE PROTOTYPE The craft studied is a special purpose construction-type platform designated as Fishhook, plan views of which are shown in Fig. 1. The hull plan views of which are shown in Fig. 1. The hull outline is that of two standard (34 × 110 ft) Navy lighter barges (YFNB) separated by a distance of 22 ft, which gives the appearance of a flat-bottomed catamaran. Forward of Frame 5, the center section provides additional buoyancy, while aft of Frame 5, provides additional buoyancy, while aft of Frame 5, the barges are tied together by a structural framework, leaving an open well between the barges. The composite platform supports a massive tower and recovery mechanism whose mass distribution gives the Fishhook some unusual, if not unique, naval architectural and dynamic characteristics. The general location of the study was off of Wilson Cove on the north coast of San Clemente Island, about 65 miles south of Los Angeles. Figs. 2 and 3 present details of the mooring arrangement. The craft was moored by chains in about 165 ft of water. SPEJ P. 206


2019 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 81-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Favrel ◽  
Joao Gomes Pereira Junior ◽  
Christian Landry ◽  
Andres Müller ◽  
Kazuhiko Yamaishi ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Leonard ◽  
Jules W. Lindau

Steady-periodic multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to capture cavitation breakdown in a Francis hydroturbine due to large-scale vaporous structures. A reduced-scale model and a full-scale prototype were investigated to display differences in vapor content and machine performance caused by lack of Reynolds and Froude similarity. The model scale efficiencies compared favorably (within 3%) to the experimental cavitation tests. The CFD model and prototype displayed distinct qualitative and quantitative differences as σ was reduced. A stage-by-stage analysis was conducted to assess the effect of cavitation on loss distribution throughout the machine. Furthermore, a formal mesh refinement study was conducted on efficiency and volume of vapor, with three mesh levels and Richardson extrapolation, to ensure convergence.


Author(s):  
Yun Su Han ◽  
Jeong Woo Hong ◽  
Min Han Oh ◽  
Jong Jin Jung

The purpose of a gravity anchor is to moor the installation barge affected by the environmental condition during installation at the offshore site. It is important to obtain the sufficient holding capacity to prevent the anchor from dragging. There are several methods to enhance the holding capacity such as increasing its self-weight or attaching the shear key at the bottom of the gravity anchor. However, increasing the self-weight of gravity anchor is a constrained approach due to the limitation of handling equipment capacity. Therefore, it is necessary that the shear key design should be optimized to maximize the holding capacity under limited handling equipment. In this paper, reduced scale model tests simulating rock condition mixed by sand, cement, and water are performed. The actual offshore mooring condition is simulated by using towing carriage. Five types of gravity anchor models which have different shear keys are assessed to examine what type of the shear key is the optimum design. The optimum shape and the number of shear keys for maximizing the holding capacity are assessed through this study. The results of this study can be utilized to design the shear key of gravity anchor.


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