Response Analysis of Tension-Based Tension Leg Platform Under Irregular Waves

Tension Leg Platform（TLP） is a hybrid structure used as oil drilling and production facility within water depths of 1200 m. The extension of this TLP concept to deeper waters is a challenge and warrants for some innovative design concepts. In this paper, a relatively new concept of TLP which is christened as Tension-Based Tension Leg Platform（TBTLP） and patented by Srinivasan（1998） has been chosen for study. Response analysis of TLP with one tension base under irregular waves for three different sea states has been performed using hydrodynamic tool ANSYS？ AQWA？. Results are reported in terms of RAOs, response spectrums for surge, heave and pitch degrees of freedom from which spectral statistics have been obtained. The statistics of TBTLP have been compared with TLPs（without tension base） for two different water depths to highlight the features of the new concept. The effect of viscous damping and loading effects on the RAOs are also investigated.

Time domain finite volume method for the transient response and natural characteristics of structural-acoustic coupling in an enclosed cavity

A time domain finite volume method（TDFVM）based on wave theory is developed to analyze the transient response and natural characteristics of structural-acoustic coupling problems in an enclosed cavity.In the present method,the elastic dynamic equations and acoustic equation in heterogeneous medium are solved in solid domains and fluid domains respectively.The structural-acoustic coupling is implemented according to the continuity condition of the particle velocity along the normal direction and the normal traction equilibrium condition on the interface.Several numerical examples are presented to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the present TDFVM.Then the effects of water depth on the acoustic and vibration characteristics and the natural characteristics of a structural-acoustic coupling system are analyzed.The numerical results show that the increase of water depth leads to a stronger coupling between the water and structure and the decrease of natural frequencies of coupling system,The computational cost and memory of this method are small and it can be applicable to structural-acoustic coupling problems in the heterogeneous fluid.

Dynamic Response Analysis of a Multi-Column Tension-Leg-Type Floating Wind Turbine Under Combined Wind and Wave Loading

Floating wind turbines(FWTs) are subjected to combined aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads varying both in time and amplitude. In this study, a multi-column tension-leg-type FWT(i.e., Wind Star TLP system) is investigated for its global performance under normal operating conditions and when parked. The selected variables are analysed using a fully coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic time domain simulation tool FAST.Three different loading scenarios(wind only, wave only and both combined) are examined to identify the dominant load influencing each response. The key response variables are obtained and compared with those for an NREL5 MW baseline wind turbine installed on land. The results should aid the detailed design of the Wind Star TLP system.

Research on Dynamic Response Characteristics of 6 MW Spar-Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

A 6 MW spar-type floating offshore wind turbine （FOWT） model is put forward and a fully coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic time domain model is established in the fatigue, aerodynamics, structures and turbulence （FAST） code. Influence rules of wind 10ad and wave load on the characteristics of 6 MW spar-type FOWT are investigated. Firstly, validation of the model is carried out and a satisfactory result is obtained. The maximal deviations of rotor thrust and power between simulation results and reference values are 4.54% and -2.74%, respectively. Then the characteristics, including rotor thrust, rotor power, out-of-plane blade deflection, tower base fore-aft bending moment, and mooring line tension, are researched. The results illustrate that the mean value of dynamic response characteristics is mainly controlled by the wind-induced action. For characteristics of tower base fore-aft bending moment and platform pitch motion, the oscillation is dominated by the wave-induced action during all conditions considered. For characteristics of out-of-plane blade tip deflection and mooring line tension, the oscillation is commanded by combination effect of wave and wind loads when the wind speed is lower than the rated wind speed （hereinafter referred to as below rated wind speed） and is controlled by the wave-induced action when the wind speed is higher than the rated wind speed （hereinafter referred to as above rated wind speed）. As to the rotor thrust and power, the oscillation is dominated by the wind induced action at below rated wind speed and by the combination action of wind and wave loads at above rated wind speed. The results should be useful to the detailed design and model basin test of the 6 MW spar-type FOWT.

Seismic analysis of underground tunnels subjected to 3D oblique incident P and SV waves by 2.5D approach

This paper presents,for the first time,the consideration of three-dimensional(3D)oblique incident P and SV waves in calculating the 3D seismic response of a lined tunnel embedded in a half-space by the 2.5D finite/infinite element method(FIEM).Firstly,the applicability of the 2.5D FIEM for 3D seismic analysis is summarized.With the exact solutions obtained for the free field in the Appendix,the equivalent seismic forces are rationally computed for the near-field boundary,considering the horizontal and vertical excitations of the Chi-Chi Earthquake.By performing seismic analysis of the half space embedded with a tunnel using the 2.5D FIEM,the time-domain responses of the tunnel are obtained.The accuracy of the present solutions is verified against those of de Barros and Luco.Conclusions drawn from the parametric study include:(1)Stress concentration for the principal stress under oblique incident seismic waves occurs at the polar angles of 0(vault),90,180(inverted arch),and 270of the lining wall.(2)The vault and inverted arch are the weakest parts of the tunnel during earthquakes.(3)The accelerations of the tunnel during earthquakes can be regarded as of the rigid body type.(4)The responses of the tunnel lining caused by SV waves of an earthquake are much more critical than those by P waves.(5)For arbitrary seismic waves,the maximum longitudinal acceleration azmax is of the same order of magnitude as the maximum horizontal acceleration axmax.