Time-Domain Hydrodynamic Model for Mooring Analysis of a Spread Moored FPSO With Calibration of Wave Drift Forces

The paper presents calibration and validation of a time domain numerical model for mooring analysis of a spread moored FPSO in moderate seastates with and without current. The equations of motion are solved in the time domain with a fully coupled method, accounting for linear wave frequency (WF) radiation and diffraction, second order wave drift forces and nonlinear low frequency (LF) damping. The mooring system dynamics is solved by a FEM. Uncalibrated numerical models are based on input from the mooring system, vessel mass, radiation/diffraction analysis, decay tests and current coefficients. WF responses are very well predicted by standard radiation/diffraction linear analysis, therefore the focus is on the LF responses. LF motions are underpredicted by the uncalibrated numerical model. Calibration is performed by comparing simulations with model test data and adjusting hydrodynamic coefficients known to be affected by uncertainty. These include wave drift force coefficients and LF damping. Correction of the drift coefficients is based on empirical quadratic transfer functions (QTFs) identified from the test data by a nonlinear data analysis technique known as “cross-bi-spectral analysis”. The LF damping coefficients are then adjusted by matching low frequency surge and sway spectra from the model tests and from the simulations.