Experimental Investigation of Hydrodynamic Coefficients of a Wave-Piercing Tumblehome Hull Form

A systematic series of calm-water forced roll model tests were performed over a range of forward speeds using an advanced tumblehome hull form (DTMB model #5613-1) to examine the mechanisms of roll damping. This experimental investigation is part of an ongoing effort to advance the capability to assess seakeeping, maneuvering, and dynamic stability characteristics of an advanced surface combatant. The experiment was performed to provide data for development and validation of a semi-empirical roll damping model for use in validation of ship motion and viscous flow simulation codes, as well as to provide a basis for future work with additional experiments, contributing to the development of an improved analytical roll damping model. Two hull configurations were tested: barehull with skeg, and bare hull with skeg and bilge keels. Measurements of forces and moments were obtained over a range of forward speeds, roll frequencies, and roll amplitudes. Stereo particle-image velocimetry (SPIV) measurments were also taken for both zero and forward speeds. Test data was used to calculate added mass/inertia and damping coefficients. Two different system modeling techniques were used. The first method modeled the system as an equivalent linearly-damped second-order harmonic oscillator with the time-varying total stiffness coefficient considered linear. The second technique used equivalent linear damping, including higher-order Fourier components, and a non-linear stiffness formulation. Results are shown, including plots of added inertia and damping coefficients as functions of roll frequency, roll amplitude, and forward speed and SPIV measurements. Trends from the experimental data are compared to results from traditional component roll damping formulations for conventional hull from geometries and differences are discussed.

Numerical Simulation of Engineering Wave for Zhongzui Bay

For providing a better shelter condition, it is necessary to build a breakwater in Zhongzui Bay. In order to know whether mooring area meets the requirement after engineering construction and compare the mooring area between solid breakwater and permeable breakwater, a numerical simulation method is used in the sheltering harbor of Zhongzui Bay. The used Mild-slope equation which describes wave refraction, diffraction and reflection, considers the steep slope bottom and effect of energy dissipation. It has been validated to fit for simulating wave transformation in the coastal zone. Under extreme high water level and design high water level, wave fields in the calculation area of three wave types in three different return periods are simulated by using this method respectively. In addition, wave height in front of breakwater can be provided. Then the wave parameters and the mooring area of two occasions, with and without breakwater, are gained in calculation area. Based on these results, some conclusions are presented in the end.

Case Studies on ECA-Based Flaw Acceptance Criteria for Pipe Girth Welds Using BS 7910:2005

The use of an engineering critical assessment (ECA) approach to derive flaw acceptance criteria for pipe girth welds has become common practice. It allows the maximum tolerable size of weld flaws to be determined on a fitness-for-purpose basis, offering substantial advantages over the conventional workmanship approach. BS 7910:2005 is widely used to derive ECA-based flaw acceptance criteria for pipe girth welds. It offers a flexible assessment framework within the context of the well-established failure assessment diagram (FAD) approach. However, it can be relatively complex to apply and it may lead to assessments that are more conservative than codified pipeline-specific procedures. This paper illustrates, through practical case studies on assessing the significance of circumferential girth weld flaws, some of the options available to the user of BS 7910. The case studies cover the selection of the FAD (generalised or material-specific, with and without yield discontinuity), tensile properties (specified minimum or actual values); fracture toughness properties (single point CTOD values including δ0.2BL and δm, or full CTOD resistance R-curve), and welding residual stress (assumed to be uniform through the pipe wall with a yield strength magnitude, or considered to have a through-wall distribution associated with a specific level of welding heat input).

The Effect of Bow Shape on the Springing/Whipping Response of a Large Ocean-Going Vessel: Investigated by an Experimental Method

Wave induced vibrations often referred to as springing and/or whipping increase the fatigue and extreme loading in ship hull girders. Both effects are disregarded in current ship rules. Various numerical codes exist for predicting the wave induced vibrations, but so far they are not considered reliable. Another means to investigate the importance of the high frequency response, although more resource demanding, is to carry out full scale measurements and/or model tests. Recently, full scale measurements of blunt ships have been carried out by DNV, and in this paper one of these ships was considered and tested in a towing tank to evaluate the additional fatigue damage due to the wave induced vibrations. Different excitation sources may excite the 2-node vertical vibration mode depending on ship design, and it is not straight forward to determine which is more important. The relative importance of the excitation mechanisms are investigated by two approaches in this paper. The first approach separates the whipping from springing to illustrate their relative importance based on basic theory in combination with model test results. The linear and second order transfer functions are utilized in this procedure. The second approach deals with the effect of the bow design on the additional fatigue damage. Three different bows were tested. The first bow design is identical to the real ship. The second bow design is a simplified version of the first one, by removing the bulb and flare. The third bow is fundamentally different from the two former blunt bows. Bow three is sharp pointed with a vertical sharp stem and vertical ship sides. The results indicate that the importance of whipping depends on the sea state, but that it is of similar importance as springing for the sea states that contributes most to the fatigue damage. Moreover, the difference in the additional fatigue damage due to wave induced vibrations for different bow shapes is moderate. This indicates that vessels with pointed bows and without pronounced bow flare, such as LNG vessels, may have a similar contribution from wave induced vibrations. Modern container vessels, which are more slender, but with pronounced bow flares should be further investigated.

Time Domain Hydroelastic Analysis of a Flexible Marine Structure Using State-Space Models

This article deals with time-domain hydroelastic analysis of a marine structure. The convolution terms in the mathematical model are replaced by their alternative state-space representations whose parameters are obtained by using the realization theory. The mathematical model is validated by comparison to experimental results of a very flexible barge. Two types of time-domain simulations are performed: dynamic response of the initially inert structure to incident regular waves and transient response of the structure after it is released from a displaced condition in still water. The accuracy and the efficiency of the simulations based on the state-space model representations are compared to those that integrate the convolutions.

Investigation of a Cup Anemometer in Oblique Flow for Measurement of Wind Velocity in Offshore Installations in the Field of Aquaculture

In Germany the combination of environmentally friendly changed wind energy with aquaculture is seen as an opportunity for multiple use of natural marine resources. Loads and stresses of “open ocean” offshore installations depend on wind velocity. For measurements of wind velocity within the field of wind energy conversion the only cost effective device is the cup anemometer. It has a linear relation between number of revolutions and velocity. Questionable is the measuring result if the wind vector is not within the ‘measuring plane’. Results of CFD calculations of the flow around an anemometer cup are given. With the force coefficients (lift and drag coefficients) an anemometer in inclined flow is calculated. It will be shown that the measured velocity within the measuring plane is higher than the cosine component of velocity.

Tensegrity Structures in the Design of Flexible Structures for Offshore Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector in the world. Considerable interest exists in developing open ocean aquaculture in response to a shortage of suitable, sheltered inshore locations. The harsh weather conditions experienced offshore lead to a focus on new structure concepts, remote monitoring and a higher degree of automation in order to keep the cost of structures and operations within an economically viable range. This paper proposes tensegrity structures in the design of flexible structures for offshore aquaculture. The finite element analysis program ABAQUS™ has been used to investigate stiffness properties and performance of tensegrity structures when subjected to various forced deformations and hydrodynamic load conditions. The suggested concept, the tensegrity beam, shows promising stiffness properties in tension, compression and bending, which are relevant for development of open ocean aquaculture construction for high energy environments. When designing a tensegrity beam, both pre-stress and spring stiffness should be considered to ensure the desired structural properties. A large strength to mass ratio and promising properties with respect to control of geometry, stiffness and vibration could make tensegrity an enabling technology for future developments.

TN X SN Fatigue Curves for KS Hook and Chain Using Finite Elements Modelling and Model Test

The new scenario of oil exploration in ultra deep water moves forward to 3000 m, has been putting for the companies that accept this technological challenger significant, border of the techno-scientific knowledge. Therefore, nowadays in this case of ultra deep waters, where the forces above the mooring lines are increase and the use of the new material in Petrobras Floating Production Units, it is necessary the good numerical analyses and experimental test by the mooring line. It appears the need to look for a solution for the problems according to the changes of the polyester rope in the production platform without the bottom extension change and its foundation (fixed point). According to this challenge it was necessary to develop a remote connection and disconnection device. This device is the KS hook and its optimization has been created using the fracture mechanical conception optics and computers tools (FEM and mooring software). There are two conditions to develop this device: one condition is functional and the other is structural. For the functional condition, it’s necessary to create the facilities for handling and installations. For the structural conditions, it is necessary to use the special wrought steel material, treatment for steel characteristic and right geometry. Finite Elements Modeling analyze used the Ansys software, considered the hardness profile material for Minimum Break Load (MBL). The lifetime design is about 25 years for this case and the fatigue analysis considered the residual stress and plasticity for structural device. Previous simulation is especially important in predicting behavior and in the development of new design products before testing. The model was meshed with 3D first order tetrahedral elements solid45. The mesh was sufficiently fine to ensure minimal loss of accuracy in curved geometry. There isn’t a TN fatigue curve (reference API Fatigue curves) for this KS Hook device geometry, in this case become necessary to use the model test to obtain this curve with the extrapolation of the results. The Finite Elements Modeling analyze used with the Material SN Fatigue curve will be used for this validation. Previous simulation is especially important in predicting behavior and in the development of new design products before testing.

Numerical Seakeeping Simulation of Model Test Condition for Two-Ship Interaction in Waves

In order to validate the numerical prediction of two-ship interactions in waves, the model test calibration has to be conducted. However, motion constraints are usually applied when model tests are carried out for the measurement of wave excitation forces and moments in certain selected motion modes for both ships. Therefore, in current paper, a numerical seakeeping simulation of the model test conditions has been studied. Restraints in surge, sway and yaw, as well as the free motion modes in heave, roll and pitch have been all applied to both the ships, experimentally and numerically. The restraint forces and the unrestrained motions have been compared with the model test results and numerical simulation results. Fairly good agreements have been found.

Corrosion Fatigue Behaviour of Welded Risers and Pipelines

The fatigue design of pipelines or risers in deepwater oil and gas developments, is often critically dependent on quantifying the extent to which aggressive service environments affect performance. Girth welds in these structures are often exposed to seawater on the external surface, and sweet or sour production fluids on the internal surface. All of these environments can lead to higher rates of fatigue crack growth and lower overall life compared to performance in air. The seawater environment has been studied in some depth, and design codes provide advice on how steel structures are likely to behave under conditions of either free corrosion or cathodic protection. However, it is important to note that there are limits to how widely these guidelines can be applied, and for more complex environments, such as production fluids which are inevitably project specific, design guidance is rarely available. Laboratory testing provides a means of quantifying material behaviour in a simulated service environment, and allows the impact of various environmental variables to be explored. This is important as parameters such as temperature, H2S concentration or loading frequency can have a significant effect on the extent to which performance is affected. This paper provides a review of published information and recent research data, and highlights particular areas where existing data are limited and design challenges remain.