VIM simulation on a cylindrical floating structure

Abstract

Vortex-induced motion (VIM) on a cylindrical floating structure can be easily found in ocean strong current. Since the VIM on the structure with long-term low-frequency motion causes fatigue damage of the structure’s mooring lines and risers, precise VIM assessment is needed for the safe evaluation of them. In the standard of the International Organization for Standardization ISO19901-7, ‘Specific requirements on stationkeeping systems for floating offshore structures and mobile offshore units’, for instance, a concrete method of assessing VIM displacement is not represented in the standard document, though the requirement on the VIM demands for an assessment on the basis of a proper way. In this paper, a VIM time-domain simulation method on a floating structure with circular cylinder form, that is, for example a Spar, an MPSO (mono-column type floating production storage and off-loading) and so on, is shown using the wake oscillator model. Transverse and in-line VIM are treated for the floater’s motion. The assessment quality of the simulation on the VIM amplitudes of floaters in current is confirmed by model test data.