Mitigation of Vortex-Induced Motions in a Monocolumn Platform

Abstract

A great deal of works has been developed on the Spar VIM issue. There are, however, very few published works concerning VIM of monocolumn platforms, partly due to the fact that the concept is fairly recent and the first unit was only installed last year. In this context, the present paper presents a meticulous study on VIM for this type of platform concept. Model test experiments were performed to check the influence of many factors on VIM, such as different headings, wave/current coexistence, different drafts, suppression elements, and the presence of risers. The results of the experiments presented here are inline and cross-flow motion amplitudes, ratios of actual oscillation and natural periods, and motions in the XY plane. This is, therefore, a very extensive and important data set for comparisons and validations of theoretical and numerical models for VIM prediction.