Development of basic technique to improve seismic response accuracy of tributary area-based lumped-mass stick models

Although a detailed finite element(FE) model provides more precise results, a lumped-mass stick(LMS) model is preferred because of its simplicity and rapid computational time. However, the reliability of LMS models has been questioned especially for structures dominated by higher modes and seismic inputs. Normally, the natural frequencies and dynamic responses of a LMS model based on tributary area mass consideration are different from the results of the FE model. This study proposes a basic updating technique to overcome these discrepancies; the technique employs the identical modal response, D(t), to the detailed FE model. The parameter D(t) is a time variable function in the dynamic response composition and it depends on frequency and damping ratio for each mode, independent of the structure's mode shapes. The identical response D(t) for each mode is obtained from the frequency adaptive LMS model; the adaptive LMS model which can provide identical modal frequencies as the detailed FE model. Theoretical backgrounds and formulations of the updating technique are proposed. To validate the updating technique, two types of structures(a symmetric straight column and an unsymmetric T-shaped structure) are considered. From the seismic response results including base shear and base moment, the updating technique considerably improves the seismic response accuracy of the tributary area-based LMS model.

A novel parallel algorithm for computing the mooring line based on lumped-mass method

Dynamic modeling and simulation of the mooring system are the key technologies in anchor handling simulator(AHS).Built up the mooring line’s dynamics model based on lumped-mass method(LMM),and fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was used to solve the model;because of the huge amounts of calculation in the model’s solving,the very time-consuming process brings great impact on the real-time,fidelity and immersed feeling in the anchor handling scene simulation,seriously hindered its application in AHS.A novel parallel algorithm was proposed to speed-up the model’s solving process by taking the advantages of graphic processing units(GPU’s)massive parallel computing and float point computing capability.The model’s solving process was implemented on vertex shader based on the transform feedback(TF)mechanism in modern GPU.Experimental results show that,the new algorithm reduced the calculating time largely without losing accuracy,and can finally realize the real-time solving and simulation.

Dynamic Response Analysis of the Equivalent Water Depth Truncated Point of the Catenary Mooring Line

The real-time computer-controlled actuators are used to connect the truncated parts of moorings and risers in the active hybrid model testing system. This must be able to work in model-scale real time, based on feedback input from the floater motions. Thus, mooring line dynamics and damping effects are artificially simulated in real time, based on a computer-based model of the problem. In consideration of the nonlinear characteristics of the sea platform catenary mooring line, the equations of the mooring line motion are formulated by using the lumped-mass method and the dynamic response of several points on the mooring line is investigated by the time and frequency domain analysis method. The dynamic response of the representative point on the mooring line is analyzed under the condition of two different corresponding upper endpoint movements namely sine wave excitation and random wave excitation. The corresponding laws of the dynamic response between the equivalent water depth truncated points at different locations and the upper endpoint are obtained, which can provide technical support for further study of the active hybrid model test.

Comparative Study of Two Approaches to Model the Offshore Fish Cages

The goal of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of two commonly used approaches to discretize offshore fish cages： the lumped-mass approach and the finite element technique. Two case studies are chosen to compare predictions of the LMA（lumped-mass approach） and FEA（finite element analysis） based numerical modeling techniques. In both case studies, we consider several loading conditions consisting of different uniform currents and monochromatic waves. We investigate motion of the cage, its deformation, and the resultant tension in the mooring lines. Both model predictions are sufficient close to the experimental data, but for the first experiment, the DUT-Flex Sim predictions are slightly more accurate than the ones provided by Aqua-FETM. According to the comparisons, both models can be successfully utilized to the design and analysis of the offshore fish cages provided that an appropriate safety factor is chosen.