Abstract
This paper presents a novel semi-submersible (SEMI) platform concept, called the multiple small columns (MSC) SEMI that improves upon the hydrodynamic performance of the conventional SEMI. Unlike the conventional SEMI, the proposed MSC SEMI utilizes multiple small circular columns to support the deck and a large pontoon that increases the structural displacement. The novelty of the MSC SEMI is its reduction of the hydrodynamic load on the structure and suppression of its motion response, particularly in the heave direction. The MSC SEMI has the advantages of increasing the added mass, radiation damping, and natural period of the structure. A comprehensive investigation of the hydrodynamic performance of the novel MSC SEMI is conducted in both the time and frequency domains with a special focus on the resulting hydrodynamic load and motion response. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the MSC SEMI concept can reduce the hydrodynamic load and motion response and improve the hydrodynamic performance of SEMIs as expected.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
An, S., and Faltinsen, O. M., 2013. An experimental and numerical study of heave added mass and damping of horizontally submerged and perforated rectangular plates. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 39: 87–101.
Bindingsbo, A. U., and Bjorset A., 2002. Deep draft semi–submersible. In: ASME 2002 21st International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering. Oslo, Norway, Paper no. OMAE2002–28369, 651–659.
Chen, C. Y., Ding, Y., Mills, T., and Murray, J., 2008. Improving the motions of a semi by the addition of heave plates. In: ASME 2008 27th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering. Estoril, Portugal, Paper no. OMAE 2008–57135, 163–168.
DNV (Det Norske Veritas), 2010. WADAM–Wave analysis by diffraction and Morison theory. SESAM user’s manual. Det Norske Veritas, Hovik.
DNV (Det Norske Veritas), 2014. Recommended practice DNVRP–C205–environmental conditions and environmental loads. Det Norske Veritas, Hovik.
Faltinsen, O., 1993. Sea Loads on Ships and Offshore Structures. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, 68–73.
Fylling, I. J., Larsen, C. M., Sodahl, N., Ormberg, H., Engseth, A., Passano, E., and Holthe, K., 2008. RIFLEX–theory manual. SINTEF, report no. STF70F95219.
Garrett, D. L., 2005. Coupled analysis of floating production systems. Ocean Engineering, 32: 802–816.
Halkyard, J., Chao, J., Abbott, P., Dagleish, J., Banon, H., and Thiagarajan, K., 2002. A deep draft semisubmersible with a retractable heave plate. In: Offshore Technology Conference. Houston, Texas, Document ID: OTC–14304, 1–10.
Jia, J., 2008. An efficient nonlinear dynamic approach for calculating wave induced fatigue damage of offshore structures and its industrial applications for lifetime extension. Applied Ocean Research, 30 (3): 189–198.
Jiang, Z., Xie, B., Cui, W. C., Du, Q. G., and Tian, X. L., 2016. A study on the heave performance and loads of the critical connections of a novel dry tree semi–submersible concept using numerical and experimental method. Ocean Engineering, 124: 42–53.
Jiao, Y., 2010. Non–linear load–deflection models for seafloor interaction with steel catenary risers. Master thesis. Texas A & M University.
Low, Y. M., and Langley, R. S., 2008. A hybrid time/frequency domain approach for efficient coupled analysis of vessel/mooring/riser dynamics. Ocean Engineering, 35 (5): 433–446.
Mansour, A. M., 2009. FHS Semi: A semisubmersible design for dry tree applications. In: ASME 2009 28th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering. Honolulu, Hawaii, Paper no. OMAE2009–79303, 271–280.
Murray, J. J., Yang, C. K., Chen, C. Y., and Nah, E., 2008. Two dry tree semisubmersible designs for ultra–deep water post–Katrina Gulf of Mexico. In: ASME 2008 27th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering. Estoril, Paper no. OMAE 2008–57462, 433–440.
Ran, Z. H., 2000. Coupled dynamic analysis of floating structures in waves and currents. PhD thesis. Texas A&M University.
Reinholdtesn, S. A., 2004. SIMO–simulation of marine operation theory manual. Norwgian Marine Technology Research Institution, Report no. 516412.00.03.
Song, X. C., Wang, S. Q., and Zhang, Y., 2017. Hydrodynamic Performance of the Semisubmersible Platform with Multiple Small Columns. In: the 27th International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference. San Francisco, California, Document ID: ISOPE–I–17–037, 913–919.
Srinivasan, N., Sundaravadivelu, R., Selvakumar, R., and Kanotra, R., 2009. Innovative harsh environment dry–tree support semi–submersible for ultra–deepwater applications. In: ASME 2009 28th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering. Honolulu, Hawaii, Paper no. OMAE 2009–80085, 803–817.
Subbulakshmi, A., and Sundaravadivelu, R., 2016. Heave damping of spar platform for offshore wind turbine with heave plate. Ocean Engineering, 121: 24–36.
Tahar, A., and Finn, L., 2010. Inplace model test result correlation of multi column floater (MCF): Drilling and Production unit. In: ASME 2010 29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering. Shanghai, Paper no. OMAE 2010–20640, 433–442.
Tahar, A., and Finn, L., 2011. Vortex induced motion (VIM) performance of the multi column floater (MCF)–Drilling and production unit. In: ASME 2011 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering. Rotterdam, Paper no. OMAE2011–50347, 755–763.
Tao, L., and Dray, D., 2008. Hydrodynamic performance of solid and porous heave plates. Ocean Engineering, 35 (10): 1006–1014.
Tao, L., Molin, B., Scolan, Y. M., and Thiagarajan, K., 2007. Spacing effects on hydrodynamics of heave plates on offshore structures. Journal of Fluids and structures, 23 (8): 1119–1136.
Wang, K., Gao, X. W., and Cheng, X. M., 2016. Dynamic pressure distributions of semi–submersible. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 73: 126–132.
Wang, S. Q., Cao, Y. J., Fu, Q., and Li, H. J., 2015. Hydrodynamic performance of a novel semi–submersible platform with nonsymmetrical pontoons. Ocean Engineering, 110: 106–115.
Williams, N., Leverette, S., Bian, S., Large, S., and Cao, P., 2010. FourStar™ dry tree semisubmersible development. In: ASME 2010 29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering. Shanghai, Paper no. OMAE2010–20465, 287–294.
Xie, B., Xie, W., and Jiang, Z., 2012. A new concept of a deep water tumbler platform. In: The 22nd International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference. Rhodes, Document ID: ISOPE–I–12–076, 1012–1018.
Yang, M., Teng, B., Ning, D., and Shi, Z., 2012. Coupled dynamic analysis for wave interaction with a truss spar and its mooring line/riser system in time domain. Ocean Engineering, 39: 72–87.
Zeng, J., Wanvik, L., and Kang, C. H., 2013. A project oriented and technology robust dry tree semi concept. In: Offshore Technology Conference. Houston, Texas, Document ID: OTC–23912–MS, 1–11.
Zhang, X. S., Song, X. Y., Yuan, Z. M., and You, Y. X., 2017. Global motion and air gap computations for semi–submersible floating production unit in waves. Ocean Engineering, 141: 176–204.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the support by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (No. 51625902), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFE0200100), the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51490675), and the Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province (No. TS201511016).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Song, X., Wang, S., Li, H. et al. Investigation of the Hydrodynamic Performance of a Novel Semi-Submersible Platform with Multiple Small Columns. J. Ocean Univ. China 18, 108–122 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-019-3679-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-019-3679-y