Design of an Interlinked Multi-Body Floating System

P Siva Prasad*

A new multi-body floating system consisting of semi-submersible and spar is proposed, and the design method, as per international codes and standards, was adopted. The same was also simulated using numerical software ANSYS AQWA under different load conditions.
Keywords: Floating, Offshore, Spar, Semi-submersible, Interlinked, Yoke

Introduction
A semi-submersible linked to spar is proposed in this study, taking advantage of survival capability of spar and good operational response characteristics of semisubmersible. Compared to shipshape floating structure, the semi-submersible has lower water plane area, and its pontoons are located well below the water line and hence attracts less environmental forces (Rajesh and Natarajan, 2006).

1.1 Design of the Proposed System

The proposed spar and semi-submersible were designed, as per static stability requirements and in accordance with API RP 2A code, DNV-RP-C-103 code for column stabilized units and ABS MODU rules. Spar is designed for 100-year survival wave environment with a payload of 500 tons and semi-submersible designed for one-year operating wave environment with a payload of 5,000 tons. The stability of the spar is achieved by using steel ballast and for semi-submersible by water ballasting the pontoons. The sea state considered is that of east coast of India (Table 1) and the limiting motion criteria used in the industry for floating structures are adopted (Table 2). The methods for design of spar and semi-submersible are given in the following sections.

1.2 Design of Spar

The main design criteria for sizing a spar are: Maximum weight of topsides and risers supported by the spar that needs to be accommodated. Maximum pitch motions in a l00-year event less than about 10. Ability to be a single piece transported on a heavy lift vessel.
* Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology, Vijayawada 521137, India. E-mail: psp2607@gmail.com 2012 IUP . All Rights Reserved. 60 The IUP Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. V , No. 2, 2012

Table 1: Environment Data for East Coast of India

Environment Sea State Parameter Maximum Wave Height Return Period 100 Years 21.3 m Wave Period 14 s 1 Year 10.5 m 10.4 s

Table 2: Motion Performance Criteria for Floating Structures

Environment Survival Response Surge (m/s2) Heave (m) Pitch (degree) Operating Surge (m/s2) Heave (m) Pitch (degree) Acceptance Criteria 1.962 5.000 10.000 0.981 2.500 4.000

The principle parts of the spar are the topside deck, the vertical hollow cylinder and the heave plate attached at the bottom of the cylinder (Agarwal and Jain, 2003). The given parameters for design are the topside weight and water depth. The aim is to obtain the dimensions of the spar. Initial sizing of the hull is determined by the following steps: Trial values for the diameter, hard tank depth and draft are selected. Thickness (t) is calculated based on hydrostatic stresses as follows:
fh = pD Fhc 2t SFh

...(1)

where fh p

= Hoop stress due to hydrostatic pressure; = Hydrostatic pressure;

SFh = Safety factor against hydrostatic collapse; and Fhc = Critical hoop buckling stress. An initial estimate of hull weight and vertical center of gravity is obtained based on the area of plates or volumetric weights. Total buoyancy (displacement) and the center of buoyancy are calculated and the amount of fixed ballast is computed as the difference between buoyancy and the total payload and weight of structure for preliminary design.
Design of an Interlinked Multi-Body Floating System 61

 Stability check is performed. The equilibrium angle of heel is determined by the resultant moment caused by the couple between the steady environmental forces (wind, current and wave drift loads) and the resisting force of the mooring lines. To a first order, this moment is:
M env = Fenv (KFenv KFmoor )

...(2)

where Menv Fenv

= Moment due to environmental forces; = Total wind, current and wave drift force;

KFenv = Distance from keel to center of action of the environmental forces; and KFmoor = Distance from keel to fairlead elevation. This moment is resisted by the restoring moment stiffness of the hull.

K pitch = GM *
GM = KB KG + I

...(3) ...(4)

where Kpitch = Initial restoring moment stiffness; GM = Metacentric height; = Hull displacement in force units;

KB = Distance from keel to center of buoyancy; KG = Distance from keel to the center of gravity; I = Moment of inertia of the water plane; and = Hull displacement in volumetric units.

So the static heel angle is computed as:

env =

M env K pitch

...(5)

env should be within 10-12 for the preliminary design.

Size and approximate weight are updated depending on buoyancy and stability check. Number of iterations are done until all the required conditions are satisfied. The initial values of diameter and draft for the spar can be taken from literature. Number of iterations are to be performed to obtain final values of various spar parameters which satisfy all the above criteria.
62 The IUP Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. V , No. 2, 2012

1.3 Design of Semi-Submersible

The semi-submersible consists of a deck, multiple columns and pontoons. They are column stabilized units. The design depends on the following principle considerations: Weights and center of gravities; Hydrostatics, tank capacities; Intact and damaged stabilities; Wind forces, current forces; Motions; and Global strength. There may be different constraints for various load cases: operations, transit, survival and installation. Weight estimates need to be made of all permanent payload and variable loads. Two essential functions of a semi-submersible are: 1. To stably support a payload above the highest waves; and 2. To minimally respond to waves. The main components related to configuration are pontoons, columns and deck. Sizing of semi-submersible is based on: The number, size and spacing of the stability columns; and The height of the deck. Figure 1 shows a twin pontoon, six column semi-submersible, the underwater body model used for initial design computation of displacement, initial stability
Figure 1: Spacing Details in Under Water Portion of Semi-Submersible
bc bc ac ac dc

ap bp ap bp

Design of an Interlinked Multi-Body Floating System

63

and heave motions. The defining set of parameters for a six-column twin pontoon is given in Table 3.
Table 3: Parameters for Design of Semi-Submersible
Pontoon Cross-section Length Lateral spread Center submergence Freeboard afloat on pontoons Volume (total) Column Cross-section Depth to pontoon top Longitudinal spread Lateral spread Height Water plane area Immersed column volume Total Displaced Volume Ap Lp = 2ap bp dp fp Vp = 2ApLc Ac = Dc/4 dc ac bc fc Awp = 6Ac Vc = Awpdc = 6Acdc Vo =Vp + Vc

1.3.1 Natural Period

One among the early objective conformity tests in hydrodynamics is having natural periods greater than 20 s. A virtual added mass approximation of half cylinder of water following the bottom shape of the hull was used to determine heave period, given by the following set of equations:
Theave = 2 2m

gA wp
2 I GM A wp

...(6)

Troll =

...(7)

where m

= Total mass, including added mass;

Awp = Area of water plane; GM = Distance from center of gravity to meta center; and Ixx = Second moment of area of the water plane with respect to the center of gravity.
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64

1.3.2 Design Wave Head

The equations are simply from the wave form pressure of deep water small amplitude linear wave theory and follows the ABS MODU Rules Part 3. The main forces on the hull are from hydrostatic pressures, which are more dominating than wind, wave and current forces. The total pressure is determined by the static and dynamic pressure equations: Htotal = Hstatic + Hdynamic Hdynamic = Aek(dz) where z = Water depth; A = Amplitude of wave; and k = Wave number. ...(8) ...(9)

1.3.3 Plate Thickness

According to ABS MODU rules, the thickness of plate necessary is:
t= sK qh + 2.5 mm 254

...(10)

where s = Stiffener spacing; h = Specified design head to lower edge of the plate; q = The ratio of the yield strength of plate to nominal yield of mild steel; and K = Aspect ratio factor, as described in ABS MODU rules Section 2 of ABS water tight bulk heads.

1.3.4 Freeboard
ABS suggests adding 1.5 m to the 100-year significant wave height to determine a minimum freeboard or air gap.

1.4 Environmental Forces

Environmental force is the sum of wind, current and wave drift forces, i.e.: Fenv = Fwind + Fcurrent + Fwave ...(11)

1.4.1 Wind Force

Wind forces are calculated by the following formula:
2 Fwind = 0.5 C s C h U wind A

...(12)
65

Design of an Interlinked Multi-Body Floating System

where Fwind = Wind force (N); Cs Ch = Shape coefficient depending on the shape of the structural member exposed to the wind; = Height coefficient depending on the height above sea level of the structural member exposed to wind; = Mass density of air (1.222 kg/m3);

Uwind = Wind velocity (m/s); and A = Projected area of all the exposed surfaces.

1.4.2 Current Force

Current forces are calculated as drag force due to current.
2 Fcurrent = 0.5 C D A U current

...(13)

where Fcurrent = Current force; CD = Drag coefficient; = Mass density of water;

Ucurrent = Current velocity; and A = Projected area of all exposed surfaces.

1.4.3 Wave Force

The wave forces are calculated from Morrisons equation. Since spar lies in the inertia dominated regime, the drag force term of Morrisons equation is neglected.

Fwave = C m

D2 4

...(14)

1.5 Principal Particulars of Spar and Semi-Submersible

Spar is provided with four mooring lines for station keeping in a water depth of 300 m. Adopting a model scale ( ) of 100, the dimensions of the spar and
Table 4: Prototype and Scale Model Data of Spar and Semi-Submersible
Parameter Displacement Self weight Ballast weight Payload
66

Spar 8180 tons 30.04 MN 45.30 MN 4.91 MN

Semi-Submersible 40,300 tons 151.76 MN 194.73 MN 49.10 MN

The IUP Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. V , No. 2, 2012

Table 4 (Cont.)
Parameter Outer diameter (m) Inner diameter (m) Length (m) Width (m) Height (m) Column dia (m) Column height (m) Pontoon length (m) Pontoon width (m) Pontoon height (m) Draft (m) Freeboard (m) VCG (m) VCB (m) GM (m) No. of moorings Water depth (m) Spar 12.0 6.5 120.0 105.0 15.0 36.0 44.0 7.6 4.0 300.0 Semi-Submersible 100.0 70.0 33.2 10.0 25.0 100.0 19.2 8.2 23.2 10.0 12.0 5.3 7.7 4.0 300.0

Figure 2: Spar and Semi-Submersible Prototype Design Details

Spar Rigid Yoke Semi-Submersible

10 m
m 5 70 m

100 m Outer Cell 12 m Inner Cell 6.5 m

Pontoon 19.2 m 8.2 m

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67

Figure 3: Rigid Yoke Arrangement Plan View

Swivel Bearings Spar Outer Cell 12 m Inner Cell 6.5 m Hinge

Rigid Yoke Hinge 40 m

70 m

SemiSubmersible Column 10 m

semi-submersible are scaled down (Table 4). Spar and semi-submersible prototype design details are shown in Figure 2. Plan view of rigid yoke is shown in Figure 3.

Conclusion
In the present study, a new method of designing an inter-linked floating system with weather-vaning capability is implemented.

References
1. Agarwal A K and Jain A K (2003), Nonlinear Coupled Dynamic Response of Offshore Spar Platforms, Ocean Engineering, Vol. 30, pp. 517-551. 2. Rajesh Kannah T and Natarajan R (2006), Experimental Investigation of an External Turret-Moored FPSO System by VALM Arrangement Ships and Offshore Structures, Vol. 1, pp. 199-212.

Reference # 62J-2012-04-04-01

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