General information
One of the important mean environmental loads on offshore structures are the current loads, especially in regions with strong currents, such as the Gulf of Mexico. In high current velocities the current loads on the floater can be significant. Many floaters (such as FPSOs) only experience the surface current velocity, but for deep draft floaters (such as spars) the vertical current velocity profile also needs to be considered.
One of the important mean environmental loads on offshore structures are the current loads, especially in regions with strong currents, such as the Gulf of Mexico. In high current velocities the current loads on the floater can be significant. Many floaters (such as FPSOs) only experience the surface current velocity, but for deep draft floaters (such as spars) the vertical current velocity profile also needs to be considered.
Services & Activities
The Offshore Department has a lot of expertise in the field of current loads on FPSOs, Semi-submersibles and Spars. Current loads can be measured in one of MARIN's basins, either by generating current in the basin or by towing the structure. Alternatively, the current loads can be determined by means of wind tunnel tests, carried out at the facilities of one of our regular sub-contractors. Possibilities for the calculation of current loads include the use of data base current load coefficients (using measurement results for similar vessels), semi-empirical methods (building block approach, e.g. WINDOS) and CFD calculations with e.g. our in-house viscous-flow code ReFRESCO.
Issues related to current loads include low frequency damping of floaters and Vortex Induced Motions (VIM).
The Trials & Monitoring Department can be involved in full-scale measurements and assessment of current loads.
The Offshore Department has a lot of expertise in the field of current loads on FPSOs, Semi-submersibles and Spars. Current loads can be measured in one of MARIN's basins, either by generating current in the basin or by towing the structure. Alternatively, the current loads can be determined by means of wind tunnel tests, carried out at the facilities of one of our regular sub-contractors. Possibilities for the calculation of current loads include the use of data base current load coefficients (using measurement results for similar vessels), semi-empirical methods (building block approach, e.g. WINDOS) and CFD calculations with e.g. our in-house viscous-flow code ReFRESCO.
Issues related to current loads include low frequency damping of floaters and Vortex Induced Motions (VIM).
The Trials & Monitoring Department can be involved in full-scale measurements and assessment of current loads.
Facilities & Tools
Current load measurements are carried out in the following MARIN facilities :
Current load measurements are carried out in the following MARIN facilities :
- Offshore Basin: DP model tests in combined current, waves and wind
- Shallow Water Basin
- High Speed Basin: model tests in waves
- Depressurised Towing Basin: towing tests
- Deep Water Towing Tank: towing tests
The following tools are used to study current loads :
WINDOS: Assessment of wind loads on ships and offshore structures
DBSHIP: Assessment of mean wave, wind and current forces on ships
PARNASSOS: Calculation of the viscous flow around ships hulls
ReFRESCO: Versatile CFD tool for marine hydrodynamics
DBSHIP: Assessment of mean wave, wind and current forces on ships
PARNASSOS: Calculation of the viscous flow around ships hulls
ReFRESCO: Versatile CFD tool for marine hydrodynamics
Software Sales
Some software tools are available for commercial use outside MARIN. A complete overview of these software tools for sale can be found under Software Sales.
Some software tools are available for commercial use outside MARIN. A complete overview of these software tools for sale can be found under Software Sales.
Experience
The list below gives a review of current loads projects carried out at MARIN:
The list below gives a review of current loads projects carried out at MARIN:
- LNG-carrier current load measurements (HAWAII JIP, 2006)
- Shenzi TLP (BHP Billiton / MODEC, 2005)
- Bonga FPSO (Shell/Samsung, 2000)
- Ocean Confidence DP model tests (Diamond Offshore, 1998)
- HAWAI JIP
- Current Affairs JIP
Most recent current load papers presented by MARIN
(complete overview of papers can be found under Publications)
(complete overview of papers can be found under Publications)
Viscous-Flow Calculations For KVLCC2 In Manoeuvring Motion In Deep And Shallow Water
Toxopeus, S.L., Simonsen, C.D., Guilmineau, E., Visonneau, M. and Stern, F., NATO AVT-189 Specialists Meeting on "Assessment of Stability and Control Prediction Methods for NATO Air and Sea Vehicles", Portsdown-West, UK, 2011
Viscous-Flow Calculations For Model And Full-Scale Current Loads On Typical Offshore Structures
Koop, A.H., Klaij, C.M. and Vaz, G., IV International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering (ECCOMAS MARINE), Lisbon, Portugal, 2011
Viscous-Flow Calculations For KVLCC2 In Deep And Shallow Water
Toxopeus, S.L., IV International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering (ECCOMAS MARINE), Lisbon, Portugal, 2011
Model-Scale And Full-Scale CFD Calculations For Current Loads On Semi-Submersible
Koop, A.H. and Bereznitski, A., 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE), Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2011
Using CFD Calculations To Improve Predictions Of Ship Manoeuvres
Toxopeus, S.L., RINA Developments in Marine CFD, 2011
Calculation of bottom clearance effects on Walrus submarine hydrodynamics
Bettle, M.C., Toxopeus, S.L. and Gerber, A.G., International Shipbuilding Progress, 2010
Calculation Of Manoeuvring Forces On Submarines Using Two Viscous-Flow Solvers
Vaz, G.N.V.B., Toxopeus, S.L. and Holmes, S., OMAE ASME 29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Shanghai, 2010
Predicting Loads On An LNG Carrier With CFD
Fathi, F. (SBM Offshore/Gusto MSC), Klaij, C.M. and Koop, A.H., OMAE ASME 29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Shanghai, 2010
Toxopeus, S.L., Simonsen, C.D., Guilmineau, E., Visonneau, M. and Stern, F., NATO AVT-189 Specialists Meeting on "Assessment of Stability and Control Prediction Methods for NATO Air and Sea Vehicles", Portsdown-West, UK, 2011
Viscous-Flow Calculations For Model And Full-Scale Current Loads On Typical Offshore Structures
Koop, A.H., Klaij, C.M. and Vaz, G., IV International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering (ECCOMAS MARINE), Lisbon, Portugal, 2011
Viscous-Flow Calculations For KVLCC2 In Deep And Shallow Water
Toxopeus, S.L., IV International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering (ECCOMAS MARINE), Lisbon, Portugal, 2011
Model-Scale And Full-Scale CFD Calculations For Current Loads On Semi-Submersible
Koop, A.H. and Bereznitski, A., 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE), Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2011
Using CFD Calculations To Improve Predictions Of Ship Manoeuvres
Toxopeus, S.L., RINA Developments in Marine CFD, 2011
Calculation of bottom clearance effects on Walrus submarine hydrodynamics
Bettle, M.C., Toxopeus, S.L. and Gerber, A.G., International Shipbuilding Progress, 2010
Calculation Of Manoeuvring Forces On Submarines Using Two Viscous-Flow Solvers
Vaz, G.N.V.B., Toxopeus, S.L. and Holmes, S., OMAE ASME 29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Shanghai, 2010
Predicting Loads On An LNG Carrier With CFD
Fathi, F. (SBM Offshore/Gusto MSC), Klaij, C.M. and Koop, A.H., OMAE ASME 29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Shanghai, 2010
Most recent current load articles written for MARIN Report
(complete overview of articles can be found under Publications)
(complete overview of articles can be found under Publications)
MARIN set to open its new Depressurised Wave Basin
MARIN Report, 2011
Full-scale squat measurements
Thijs Hasselaar, MARIN Report, 2011
Increasing interest in tests for Vortex Induced Motions
Arjen Koop & Jule Scharnke, MARIN Report, 2011
Pioneering purpose-built wind turbine installation vessels under test
Willemijn Pauw & Arjen Koop, MARIN Report, 2010
CFD for offshore applications
Arjan Koop & Guilherme Vaz, MARIN report, 2010
MARIN Report, 2011
Full-scale squat measurements
Thijs Hasselaar, MARIN Report, 2011
Increasing interest in tests for Vortex Induced Motions
Arjen Koop & Jule Scharnke, MARIN Report, 2011
Pioneering purpose-built wind turbine installation vessels under test
Willemijn Pauw & Arjen Koop, MARIN Report, 2010
CFD for offshore applications
Arjan Koop & Guilherme Vaz, MARIN report, 2010
Contact
For more information on how MARIN can help your organisation with current loads, please contact :
For model test and simulation activities: Offshore Department
knowledge group manoeuvring at manoeuvring@marin.nl
knowledge group Resistance and Propulsion at powering@marin.nl
For full-scale measurements: Trials & Monitoring Department
For more information on how MARIN can help your organisation with current loads, please contact :
For model test and simulation activities: Offshore Department
knowledge group manoeuvring at manoeuvring@marin.nl
knowledge group Resistance and Propulsion at powering@marin.nl
For full-scale measurements: Trials & Monitoring Department