Parametric study on the vortex-induced motions of semi-submersibles: Effect of rounded ratios of the column and pontoon

Abstract

The vortex-induced motions (VIMs) of semi-submersibles have emerged as an important issue in offshore engineering, as they pose a threat to safe and reliable operations and severely affect the fatigue lives of risers and mooring systems. The VIM response depends on the shape of the submerged structure and thus is significantly influenced by the design parameters related to the columns and pontoons. Numerical simulations by the detached Eddy simulation method are validated by experimental data and then used for parametric analysis of the VIM performance of various semi-submersibles with different column rounded ratios (Rc/L) and pontoon rounded ratios (Rp/Lp). The results show that the transverse amplitudes of a semi-submersible with circular columns at a 0° current heading are twice as large as those at a 45° current heading. However, the semi-submersible with rounded square columns shows more significant transverse motions at a 45° current heading than at a 0° current heading. Furthermore, at the 45° current heading, the transverse amplitudes of the semi-submersibles show a rapid increase as the column radius increases in the range of Rc/L<0.1. The peak values remain roughly the same for 0.1≤Rc/L≤0.2 and then decrease as the column radius increases (Rc/L≥0.3). In addition, the effect of the pontoon shape on the transverse response is negligible for semi-submersibles with sharp square columns, while for semi-submersibles with rounded square columns or circular columns, the sharp rectangular pontoons greatly mitigate the VIM response.