Effect of Memory on the Stability of Spread Mooring Systems

Abstract

The importance of including the hydrodynamic memory effect in modeling and analysis of spread mooring systems (SMS) is assessed based on the design methodology for mooring systems developed at the University of Michigan. The memory effect is modeled by the hydrodynamic radiation forces expressed in terms of added mass at infinite frequency and convolution integrals of impulse response functions. The convolution integrals, which are explicit functions of time, are converted to autonomous excitation by the method of extended dynamics. For a given SMS configuration, nonlinear stability and bifurcation theory are used to produce catastrophe sets in the parametric design space separating regions of qualitatively different system dynamics. This approach reveals the complete picture of nonlinear phenomena associated with system dynamics and eliminates the need for extensive simulations. Catastrophe sets are developed in several parametric design spaces, providing fundamental understanding of the memory effects on SMS nonlinear dynamics. The mathematical model is based on the slow-motion maneuvering equations in the horizontal plane, including hydrodynamic memory effect and third-order quasi-steady hydrodynamic forces. Mooring lines are modeled by synthetic fiber ropes attached to surface terminals and deep-water catenary chains with touchdown and nonlinear drag. Environmental loads consist of time-independent current, wind, and mean wave drift forces.