Experimental survey of the hydrodynamic performance of a small spar buoy

The objective in this experimental work is to evaluate the capability of several cylindrical buoys to follow and measure waves. Eleven configurations have been studied, eight among which were furnished with disks of different diameters at the waterline. The experiments took place in the test basin at ISITV. On the one hand, we have obtained a set of transfer coefficients for each frequency and each configuration in regular waves. On the other hand, we have determined the corresponding transfer functions, then we have used the latter to measure irregular waves. The time signals as measured by the buoys with and without corrections have been compared with wave gage measurements and subjected to a wave-by-wave analysis. The results allow the conclusion that the buoy with a medium size disk constitutes the best compromise. In fact, it permits the buoy to follow the free surface while minimizing parasitic motions.     

A finite differences formulation for the linear and nonlinear dynamics of 2D catenary risers

A finite differences (FD) solution method is proposed for the numerical treatment of the dynamic equilibrium problem of 2D catenary risers. The method is based on the so-called Box approximation, which in the scope of the present contribution is applied to the complete nonlinear model as well as to the reduced linearized formulation. The application of the Box method transforms the original governing systems into convenient sets of algebraic equations, which in turn are solved efficiently by the relaxation method. Extensive numerical calculations are presented that describe the dynamic behaviour of the structure and evaluate the amplification in loading due to the dynamic components. The effect of the geometric nonlinearities is assessed through comparative calculations that concern both mathematical formulations examined in the present, i.e. the complete nonlinear, and the reduced linearized model. Special attention is paid to the heave excitations as they amplify significantly the magnitudes of the loading components.     

Depthimeter-Precise Vessel Depth for Bathymetry

This article describes the design, operation, and field testing of the depthimeter. The depthimeter merges heave and acoustically derived vessel depth to form estimates of instantaneous vessel depth and instantaneous sea surface height, both relative to mean sea level. Results from sea trials held in December 1997 demonstrate successful operation of the system.     

Design analysis of a truss pontoon semi-submersible concept in deep water

Truss pontoon semi-submersible (TPS) is a new offshore structure concept in industry, where a truss spar is used to create the added mass by the heave plates. In the present paper, the effect of the heave plates on the vertical motion of the floating structure is demonstrated. A TPS is analyzed by utilizing the linear diffraction theory as well as the linear part of the Morison equation. The close agreement of the analysis results with the experimental results suggests that the simplified Morison equation can be used for the present analysis without sacrificing the quality of the results. However, good engineering judgment is required for estimating the values of the hydrodynamic coefficients as well as the amount of damping introduced in the structure. It is also found that the heave plates indeed introduce large added mass and considerable damping in the system motion in the vertical direction such that the resonant oscillation becomes less of a problem. This suggests that the TSP concept may have merits as a heave-controlled floating production structure in the deepwater development.     

Parameters influence on maneuvered towed cable system dynamics

The dynamic response of a towed cable system to ship maneuver is parametrically simulated. Three dimensionless parameters influence on towed cable system maneuverability is investigated. They are ratio of total length to turning radius R/L, ratio of cable mass to vehicle mass σ, and ratio of mass unit length to hydrodynamic force w/r. An oscillatory motion of towed vehicle is found in simulation of spiral towed courses. Features of this oscillation in different spiral courses are compared. The sharp turns, gradual turns and their transient states of towed cable dynamics for different course directions are discussed extensively. According to the characters of transient states and horizontal trajectories evolution of maneuvered cable system, the dynamic behaviors can be divided into three situations in Fig. 8 turning maneuvers. The behavior of towed cable system during a zigzag turning course is simulated in the end. Two ingredients of heave motion are found during small ratio of turning radii to length in this course. The primary damp to initial turning becomes weak and the response to alternative turns plays a more and more important role. The damping properties of the transient behavior in different maneuvers show a periodical invariance to σ during some turning maneuvers.     

城市盾构隧道水平冻结地层加固的数值分析

冻结地层加固法是一种环境影响小、加固效果好的地层加固方法,人工冻结壁的形成是一个复杂的热-力耦合问题。依托实际盾构隧道始发施工中冻结加固工程,采用有限差分软件Flac3D建立数值模型分析了地铁隧道水平冻结施工中温度场随时间的发展和分布特征,同时采用准热-力耦合的方法,分析了冻结施工中地表冻胀隆起变形规律。分析结果表明：冻结壁模拟交圈时间和设计交圈时间基本一致;冻结壁交圈前,地表冻胀隆起位移速率快,冻结壁交圈之后,地表冻胀变形逐渐趋近稳定。计算结论可供设计和施工参考,提供了一种简便的人工冻结加固施工的数值模拟方法。     

Suppression of swelling associated with ettringite formation in lime stabilized sulphate bearing clay soils by partial substitution of lime with ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS)

Ettringite related swelling in lime-stabilized sulphate bearing clay soil systems has only been reported within the last decade although similar expansive behaviour has been reported in concrete over many years. The use of ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS), an industrial by-product, is well established as a binder in many cement applications where it provides enhanced durability and high resistance to sulphate attack. This paper reports on efforts to extend the use of GGBS to highway and other foundation layers by determining the beneficial effect of the suppression of swelling of lime-stabilized clay soils, particularly in the presence of gypsum. The paper describes the results of laboratory tests on lime-stabilized kaolinite containing different levels of added gypsum and on lime-stabilized gypsum (selenite) bearing Kimmeridge Clay to which, in both cases, the lime has progressively been substituted with GGBS. The tests determine the linear expansion behaviour of compacted cylinders, during moist curing in a humid environment at 30°C and during subsequent soaking in de-ionized water. The results illustrate that substitution of lime with GGBS produces significant reduction in linear expansion of lime-stabilized clay soils particularly those containing gypsum.     

Stability analysis of the heave motion of marine cable-body systems

The dynamic stability of the heave motion of marine cable-body systems operating in alternating taut–slack conditions is considered, based upon a single-degree-of-freedom model. In this model the fluid damping is linearised and the cable is replaced by a spring of bi-linear stiffness. The period-one Poincare map is derived, and its stability is analysed by examining its Jacobian matrix. Numerical simulations are also carried out to show the transition from a periodic response to a chaotic one through period doubling.     

Monocolumn behavior in waves: Experimental analysis

A series of tests with a model of a monocolumn platform with a moonpool were performed at the LabOceano/COPPE, at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, with the objective of determining the entrance area at the bottom of the moonpool that minimizes vertical motion in waves. The tests include measurements of monocolumn surge, pitch and heave motion, vertical motion of the water column inside the moonpool, with different mooring systems, in regular, irregular and transient waves.This paper presents experimental results of the monocolumn vertical motion and the internal water column motion in the moonpool in transient waves and results of vertical motion of the water column inside the moonpool with the model held still in transient waves. These measurements allow an analysis of the impact of the moonpool's bottom opening on the monocolumn vertical motion in waves.The theoretical analysis of a mass–spring–damper system with two degrees of freedom, similar to the studied system, has shown some analogy with den Hartog's damped vibration absorber; however, there are significant differences in terms of added mass and coupled terms of added mass and damping coefficients dependent on oscillation frequencies.     

Wave-induced motions of an air cushion structure in shallow water

Model tests were conducted on two 1:100 scaled models of a typical concrete gravity substructure at the University of Western Australia. The two models had dimensions 0.5 m length×0.5 m width with the first model being a sealed closed bottom box of height 0.1 m and the second model being an open bottom box with skirt length of 0.1 m. The mass of the air cushion model was changed to accommodate various water plug heights within the skirt chamber. Each model was floated at a constant draft of 0.1 m and tested in water depths ranging between 0.03 m (shallow) and 0.8 m (deep). The environment comprised regular waves with periods ranging between 0.6 and 3.5 s and amplitude of 0.08–0.02 m. To quantify the dynamic response the heave and pitch motions of each model were measured.A simplified theoretical solution based on long wavelength, linear wave assumptions was developed and applied to the geometries in consideration. Improvements to the theory are sought using the forcing function from a boundary element code, as well as utilizing added mass coefficients from free decay experiments. Results show that experimental trends compare reasonably well with analytical solution in particular for periods longer than the natural period. The results show that introducing air cushion support into a CGS increases the pitch response, while having little effect of the heave motion.