Numerical Investigation on Dynamics of the Tendon System of A TLP by Applying Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation

In the present study, the dynamics of the tendon system of a tension-leg platform (TLP) is investigated through the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). Based on the energy conversion principle, the stiffness, generalized elastic force, external load and mass matrices of the element are deduced to perform the element assembling by using the finite element method. Then the motion equation of the tendon/riser is established. In this study, the TLP in the International Ship Structures Committee (ISSC) model under the first and second wave forces is considered as the case study. The simulation is performed in the MATLAB environment. Moreover, the accuracy and reliability of the programs are verified for cases of beam model with theoretical solutions. It is found that the motion response of tendons is affected by the TLP movement and environmental load, simultaneously. Then, the motion response is calculated using the SESAM software and exported as the boundary of ANCF tendons. Finally, the static and dynamic characteristics of the four tendons of ISSC TLP are analyzed systematically by the ANCF method. Performed analysis proves the effectiveness and feasibility of the ANCF method. It is concluded that the proposed method is a powerful scheme for calculating the dynamics of tendon/riser in the field of ocean engineering.