Simulating Loads and Motions of Full-Scale Offshore Platforms in Cyclonic Wave Conditions

The commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code STAR-CCM+ was used to simulate the dynamic behaviour of a tension leg platform in extreme weather conditions. The numerical results of surge motions and tendon tensions were compared against the measurements acquired in model tests. The full-scale CFD simulations were then conducted on the basis of the settings performed in modelscale simulations. Both model- and full-scale surge motions and tendon tensions predicted by CFD were in good agreement with the measurements. Using CFD results, it was revealed that the component of the vertical wave-in-deck force caused a slam force on the platform followed by tendon slack situations in the down-wave tendons.