A Methodology for a Hydrodynamic Analysis

of a Moonpool structure with Mooring Lines

Using the ANSYS AQWA Product

Maira Vargas, M.Sc - ESSS

Lucas Froes Cavalcanti - COPPE
PRESENTATION TOPICS

Introduction
Problem Description;
Methodology;
Conclusion and next steps.
Introduction

This paper describes two examples of hydrodynamic

analysis methodology of a particular floating system with
(and also without) considering the effects of its mooring
lines and of a typical ship hull using ANSYS AQWA
programs

AQWA allows to develop different types of analysis,

working independently, in the time and frequency domain.
CASE 1 HYDRODYNAMIC EVALUATION OF A FLOATING
STRUCTURE WITH THE EFFEC OF MOORING LINES
 Problem Description
Geometry to be reproduced in DM
Dimensions
External dimension: 11,25 m
Internal dimension: 5,5 m
Depth: 6,66 m
Displacement (moorings): 1708,176 ton
CG: (0, 0, -3.33) m (referece in Water Line)

The unit system recomended for the

geometry creation in ANSYS DesignModeler is
An hexagonal floating monocolumn system meter.
Worbench Platform with AQWA 13.0 (New)

The time response analysis takes the

geometry, model and /or results obtained in
frequency domain (Hydrodynamic
Diffraction).
Geometry and Meshing
In AQWA, users
must define its point
mass (mass, inertia
and position of CoG)

The geometry must be

created in DM, with the Meshing (allows
fairlead points (Create user to control
> Points) many important
parameters)
Geometry and Meshing (New)
Its important that the points created be a component of the platform.
Its done by creating a line connecting the point and the structure. In
AQWA, user must supress the line, so it doesnt interfer in the results.

Line connecting point and platform

Fairlead points (New)

To define the fairlead points in Design Modeler, its possible to create

a .txt file, containing the points coordinates and import it with Create >
Points > From Coordinates File
ANSYS AQWA Outline

The anchor connection points are defined in

AQWA

Catenary Sections (cable segment properties)

Definition of each cable of the mooring system

(different types, e.g. catenary, linear and
elastic)

Diffraction/Radiation analysis parameters

Time Response analysis parameters

Wave Frequencies
Its important to define the range of waves frequencies or periods we
want to analyze. In our case, it was set the initial frequency (0,02 Hz)
and also the end frequency (0,2 Hz), for a number of intermediate
values equal to 8. This last value automatically calculates the interval
frequency.
Diffraction / Radiation Results

In AQWAWB its possible to

visualize the wave contours in
the frequency domain. Note that
it changes by considering
different frequencies / wave
heights.
Diffraction / Radiation Results (New)

AQWA 13.0 comes with even more graphic results, allowing users to
plot all these parameters below:
Diffraction / Radiation Results
The graphic comparison shows that the results are the same with the
upgrades.

AQWA Classical

AQWAWB 12.0

AQWA 13.0
Diffraction / Radiation Results (New)

3D Plots

Force x Frequency x Direction Radiation Damping x Frequency

Mooring System (New)
The mooring system
designed is composed
by 9 cables, disposed
3x3 equally and
espaced by 120.
Mooring System

Fairlead and anchor points table:

Line Fairlead (*) Anchor
X(m) Y(m) Z(m) X(m) Y(m) Z(m)
1 0.87 9.96 -5.66 54.63 624.46 -2200
2 0 10 -5.66 0 626.85 -2200
3 -0.87 9.96 -5.66 -54.63 624.46 -2200
4 -9.06 -4.23 -5.66 -568.12 -264.92 -2200
5 -8.66 -5 -5.66 -542.87 -313.43 -2200
6 -8.19 -5.74 -5.66 -513.49 -359.55 -2200
7 8.19 -5.74 -5.66 513.49 -359.55 -2200
8 8.66 -5 -5.66 542.87 -313.43 -2200
9 9.06 -4.23 -5.66 568.12 -264.92 -2200

Farilead points must Anchor points

be defined in Design must be defined
Modeler as Connection
Points
Cable sections (New)
For each section, user must define the following main properties:
Cable summary (New)
Each cable (1-9) is composed by the sections (1-6 already
described) shown below:
Time Domain Analysis (New)

In time domain, we can compute the cable influence in the system

response (including or not its dynamics), considering many different
sea and environment conditions.
Time Domain Analysis Results (New)

In Time Response analysis, its possible to visualize the results of all

these parameters below:
Parametric Analysis (New)
Its possible to create a parametric analysis, to study the influence of
the systematic variations in geometry and hydrodynamic (frequency
and tme domain) parameters.
Parametric Analysis (New)
Here are some examples of parametrization with time domain and
cable system. Note that every item with the blank box can be
parametrized.
Parametric Analysis

In WB, its possible to define the values of some parameters, in a way

to define sucessive analysis. In this particular case, the wave forward
speed will be changed, to obtain the maximum RAO along the x
rotational axis.
PRESENTATION TOPICS
Company Overview (2-3 minutes);

Problem Description;

Methodology;

Goals;

Conclusion and next steps.