Model Building

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OrcaFlex Training Exercises

As part of the OrcaFlex introductory training course, three short ‘assignments’ are provided here
for completion by the trainee. These assignments are simply intended to provide some hands-on
experience of using the OrcaFlex software, they are not intended to represent real offshore
systems. You can choose which one you would like to model.
1 Mid Water Arch

This example considers creating a mid-water arch model.
1.1 System Configuration

Four lines are laid in a “lazy S” configuration over a mid-water arch in a water depth of 120m. The
basic configuration of the system is shown in the following sketch.
Figure 1-1: Basic Lazy ‘S’ Configuration

The default OrcaFlex vessel can be used to model the FPSO.
The arch has a mass of 50te and has the following geometry:
Figure 1-2: Arch Geometry
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The tethers restraining the arch should be configured so that the arch sits approximately mid-
water (i.e. 60m depth).
There are two tethers systems; one at either end of the arch, as shown in Figure 2-2 Each ‘tether
system’ is composed of a vertical tether extending from the seabed to just below the arch and two
short bridles (each 4m in length) then form the connection between the top of each vertical tether
and the arch itself – see Figure 2-2.
The vertical tethers are constructed from 75mm nominal diameter ‘wire with wire core’ rope. (The
line type wizard can be used to create the tether roper properties). Connecting each vertical tether
to the arch itself are two short bridles lines. For modelling purposes, these can be assumed to
have the same properties as the main tethers.
There are four risers going over the arch. These have the following properties.
Table 1.1: Riser Properties

The two outermost lines are filled with gas (same density as air), the two inner lines are flooded
with seawater.
The lines exit the FPSO on its starboard side, as shown in the following sketch. All four lines have
1.5m separation as they exit the FPSO. The separation between the lines as they pass over the
arch is also 1.5m. The riser connection to the FPSO can be assumed to be pinned.
Figure 1-3: Riser Separation Leaving FPSO
1.2 Objective
To construct the mid-water arch model and establish the correct tether length to place the arch at
the correct position in the water column.
Also, to check whether the arch buoyancy is sufficient to prevent the arch from ‘sinking’ under the
weight of the risers. If you have time, you could try adjusting the arch mass and volume to see
what happens when the volume gets too low.

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Take a look at the standard OrcaFlex examples (Section A, available for download from the Orcina
website) for guidance. The risers can be assumed to lie directly on the outer surface of the arch so
you don’t need to model any troughs etc.
Remember that lines and buoys don’t contact each other in OrcaFlex, therefore the risers won’t
contact the arch unless you also attach an elastic solid shape to the buoy to represent the arch
surface.
If time permits, try also applying some current and waves to the system. (A current of 1m/s with
the default wave height and period would be reasonable).
2 Lazy Wave Risers

The three umbilicals are attached to the starboard side of an FPSO moored in 200m water depth.
The OrcaFlex default vessel can be used to model the FPSO.
The line headings and attachment locations are shown in the following figure and table.
Table 2.1: Umbilical Attachment Locations on FPSO

Each umbilical is attached with a hang-off angle of 15° from vertical.
Each umbilical extends for a number of kilometres along the seabed beyond its touchdown point
(eventually reaching a manifold). However, in the OrcaFlex model we only need to consider a
sufficient length of umbilical on the seabed to ensure that dynamic effects do not extend to the
chosen model end point.

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2.2 Umbilical Properties

There are two umbilical types, as shown in the following tables. Umbilical 1 and 2 are 120mm OD
and Umbilical 3 is 150mm OD.
Table 2.2: Umbilical Structural Properties
Table 2.3: Umbilical Drag and Added Mass Coefficients
The seabed friction coefficient is 0.3 for all three lines.

The allowable bend radius for each umbilical is 5m.
2.3 Objective
To model the system as described and to find suitable buoyancy to hold each line in a lazy wave
configuration – see the OrcaFlex example A01 Catenary and Wave Systems | A01 Lazy Wave Riser.sim,
available here, for more details on how to model this type of system. The number of buoyancy
modules required should be kept to a minimum.
Tip: As an initial estimate try to position the ‘hog’ bend of the lazy wave about 1/3rd of the water
depth up from the seabed. This is roughly sketched below. Having the hog bend in this position is
only an initial ‘guess’ (and the final position would likely be very different based on load case
results) but this will give you something to aim for when selecting your buoyancy.
Sea surface

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3 Rigid Pipelay Stinger

This exercise uses the ‘supports’ feature to model a simple rigid stinger. More detailed examples
of stinger models can be found in the E section of the OrcaFlex standard examples set, available
for download here.
The installation vessel can be modelled using the default OrcaFlex vessel. It is laying pipe in 100m
water depth.
The lay pipe is a homogeneous steel pipe with outer diameter = 250mm and 15mm wall thickness.
Young’s Modulus = 200 GPa, Poisson’s ratio = 0.3. Density = 7.85 te/m.
Check that you have input the above data correctly: the calculated mass per unit length (on the
Geometry and Mass page of the Line Type data form) should be 0.087te/m and the bending
stiffness (on the structure page) should be 15.351e3 kN.m 2.
The pipe is 595m long and is modelled as being connected to the vessel at x = -30m, y = 0m, z =
10.325m. The seabed end (End B) is positioned on the seabed, 570m aft of End A.
Both line end connections can be considered to be ‘encastre’ (built-in).
A rigid stinger is attached to the rear of the vessel and consists of a number of U-shaped roller
sets. The rollers sets have the following dimensions:
And are positioned along a path which comprises of a straight section 20m long, followed by a
100m section with a bend radius of 150m, as shown below: -
The rollers are spaced every 5m along the straight section, and every 12m along the curved
section. They are positioned 1m above the path (z offset).

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3.2 Objective
Build the stinger and pipe arrangement as described above.
Tip: use the ‘Simple’ method of geometry specification.
Run statics – does the pipe sit on the stinger correctly?
Set up the pipe so that it has a top tension of 180kN.
Tip: use the Line Setup Wizard
Study the results clearance and reaction force results for the supports. Which rollers are not in
contact with the pipe? What changes can you make to improve the roller arrangement for this
pipe?

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OrcaFlex Training Exercises

1 Mid Water Arch

1.1 System Configuration

Figure 1-1: Basic Lazy ‘S’ Configuration

Figure 1-2: Arch Geometry

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Table 1.1: Riser Properties

Figure 1-3: Riser Separation Leaving FPSO

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2 Lazy Wave Risers

Table 2.1: Umbilical Attachment Locations on FPSO

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2.2 Umbilical Properties

Table 2.2: Umbilical Structural Properties

Table 2.3: Umbilical Drag and Added Mass Coefficients

The seabed friction coefficient is 0.3 for all three lines.

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3 Rigid Pipelay Stinger

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