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ABSTRACT
The installation of topsides onto fixed structures such as jacket by the
float-over method has been widely utilized in offshore construction
industry. This technique demonstrates significant advantages over the
conventional lifting installation especially in remote areas where heavy
lifting crane barges are unavailable and topside weight exceeds the
lifting capacity of the floating crane. In order to ensure smooth floatover operations, the responses of the float-over barge due to waves are
crucial and must be determined. In this paper, the experimental results
on the scale model of float-over barge are presented, analyzed and
compared with those from theoretical analysis using developed
computer programs and simplified approach using frequency domain
dynamic analysis. The model tests were conducted on a model
following Froude scaling law with geometric scale of 1:50. Random
wave sea states were specified for the test and the results are presented
in terms of Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs). The model tests
were conducted in a wave basin with simulated ocean environment
under random waves and the dynamic responses in terms of motions of
the barge were monitored during the tests. The test results were
compared with theoretical values obtained from analysis and
conclusions arrived at. Overall results show satisfactory agreement
between model tests and theoretical analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Float-over installation method is known as a novel method to install
topsides or production decks onto fixed or floating structures.
Recently, this method has been widely utilized because it is economical
for the installation of large offshore decks onto jacket type of platforms.
This method minimizes the cost of integration and commissioning of
topsides as it allows the fabrication to be completed onshore prior to
load out. In considering float-over deck installation, the motion
responses of the barge are crucial and must be determined. Early
studies on this technique have been conducted by various researchers.
Sigrist et al. (1996) focused on the concept, the technology and the
flexibility of float-over system for the transportation and installation of
integrated decks for offshore platform. In this paper, the advantages of
using such innovative installation method were also discussed. Salama
et al. (1999) presented the philosophy, method and technical aspect of
the float-over deck installation in Arabian Gulf. The researchers also
conducted comparative study on the float-over method with the
traditional lifting installation. ONeill et al. (2000) illustrated the trends
949
For the study presented in this paper, the model tests on float-over
barge were conducted in the free floating condition. The responses of
the barge were determined during standby phase of the float-over
installation where the barge is at safe distance from substructure but
connected to the mooring system. The main objective of this study was
to determine the dynamic responses of float-over barge subjected to
random waves by scale model testing and to compare with numerical
results based on linear diffraction method and simplified approach
using Froude-Krylov theory. The physical modeling study was
conducted to get insight into uncertainties and substantiate those
analytical methods.
Value
159.76 m
30 m
45.72 m
8m
7575 MT
80.95 m
4.05 m
8.96 m
46.18 m
46.92 m
61.7 m
METHODOLOGY
Model Testing
Model Testing Facilities
RAO =
SR ( f )
S( f )
(1)
Scaling Laws
For the experimental study presented in this paper, a float-over barge
used for the installation of topsides onto ODP-A platform in Owez
Field, Turkmenistan was selected. The installation barge used for floatover operations is a purpose-designed and fabricated forked barge. The
forked barge arrangement, at the stern of the barge, has been designed
to transport the topsides. Table 1 shows the float-over barge dimensions
and basic data. Froude Scaling Law was employed for relating the
model to prototype. The barge model was fabricated at a scale of 1:50
using marine plywood. The model was constructed with non-water
tight bulkheads to divide the model into separate chambers representing
the prototypes ballast tank. Also, the model consisted of seven ballast
tanks with removable hatch covers for the purpose of providing solid or
water ballasts to the model.
950
Wave Theory
Assuming the barge as a rectangular block, the wave forces acting on
the barge can be computed using Froude-Krylov or linear diffraction
theory. The fundamentals of computing these forces are welldocumented by Chakrabarti (2001). Among two approaches described
in this book, the Froude-Krylov approach was adopted for the present
study. This method utilizes the incident wave pressure and the
pressure-area method on the surface of the structure to calculate wave
forces. If the member diameter D is less than 15 percent of the incident
wave length L, flow separation takes place and a wake region is formed
at the downstream of the flow direction. This causes drag forces and
hence the Morison equation becomes valid. However, this equation is
no longer applicable if the diameter of member exceeds 15% of the
wave length L. If D is not very large compared to L, then the
approximate theory of Froude-Krylov can be used (Deo, 2007). The
horizontal and vertical wave forces are expressed in Eqs. 2-3.
Fx = C H V
(2)
F y = CV V
(3)
in which Fx and Fy are the horizontal and vertical wave forces, CH and
Cv are inertia force coefficients for rectangular block taken as 1.5 and
6.0 and l1,l2 and l3 are the width, length and height of the block
submerged in the water respectively. The water particle accelerations
were determined by Eqs. 4-5 for horizontal and vertical water particle
accelerations respectively.
uo =
2 2 H cosh ks
sin
T 2 sinh kd
vo =
(4)
2 2 H sinh ks
cos
T 2 sinh kd
(5)
RAO =
FI /( H / 2)
[( K m
) + (C ) 2
2 2
1/ 2
(6)
RAO =
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M /( H / 2)
[( K I
) + (C ) 2
2 2
1/ 2
(7)
1.5
Wave profile(m)
0.5
Diffraction theory
The barge responses based on linear diffraction theory were obtained
by using linear diffraction wave module of the structural analysis
software, SACS. The barge was modeled using plate elements and the
responses in three motion modes namely surge, heave and pitch were
obtained as Transfer Functions. Table 2 shows the input of linear wave
diffraction analysis.
Table 2. Input of linear wave analysis
Description
Water depth
Density of seawater
Origin orientation (Vertical axis)
Frequency range
Wave heading
Number of mooring lines
-0.5
-1
-1.5
-2
0
Value
61.7 m
1.01 MT/m3
+z
0.05 0.4 Hz
180
4
2000
4000
6000
Time(s)
8000
10000
12000
30
25
Density(m2-s)
20
15
10
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Frequency(Hz)
1.2
1.4
0
-0.05
-0.1
-0.15
-0.2
2000
4000
6000
Time(s)
952
8000
10000
12000
-3
4.5
-3
x 10
x 10
3.5
5
Density(m2-s)
Density(m2-s)
3
2.5
2
1.5
2
1
1
0.5
0
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Frequency(Hz)
0.45
0.5
0.55
0
0.1
0.6
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Frequency(Hz)
0.45
0.5
0.55
0.6
1.4
1.4
Experimental
Frequency Domain
Diffraction Theory
1.2
Experimental
Frequency Domain
Diffraction theory
1.2
1
Heave RAO (m/m)
1
Surge RAOs (m/m)
0.15
0.8
0.6
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
Frequency, f (Hz)
0.3
0.35
0
0.05
0.4
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
Frequency, f (Hz)
0.35
0.4
0.45
0.15
0.8
0.1
0.6
0.05
0.4
Pitch(deg)
Heave(m)
0
-0.05
0.2
-0.1
-0.2
-0.15
-0.4
-0.2
-0.25
2000
4000
6000
Time(s)
8000
10000
-0.6
12000
2000
4000
6000
Time(s)
953
8000
10000
12000
-3
x 10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
5
REFERENCES
0
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Frequency(Hz)
0.45
0.5
0.55
0.6
2
Experimental
Frequency Domain
Diffraction theory
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
Frequency, f (Hz)
0.35
0.4
0.45
CONCLUSIONS
The dynamic motion responses of float-over barge in surge, heave and
pitch degrees of freedom obtained by using Froude-Krylov theory,
diffraction theory and model test were compared. The following
conclusions were drawn.
1)
2)
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