New generation tool for estimating wave/current loads on marine structures comprising of slender members

Lead Research Organisation: City, University of London
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Mathematical Sci

Abstract

City University London has developed innovative technology to revolutionise the estimation ofwave and current kinematics under extreme conditions to more accurately calculate loads onmarine structures composed of slender members. The project is to turn the technology into acommercial tool.Structures with slender members are widely used in marine engineering, and include jack-ups andjacket platforms for oil-gas production and offshore wind energy platforms. Current methodsused to model the effects of wave and current kinematics on these structures are too simplistic andnot adequate for extreme conditions in harsh weather. The proposed tool will overcome theseproblems.
 
Description Corresponding to the aim of this project, the main result of this project is a unique software product for calculating wave and current loads on slender member structures under extreme conditions, which was not previously available for industry. The package of the software includes a user-friendly interface and 42 templates for various engineering problems. The templates are expected to save considerable times for engineers to set up their models when they use the software. In addition, this project suggested three possible routes for the product to go market: (1) selling either the source code or licences to software vendors (2) establishing a joint venture company with industrial partners (3) establishing a spin-out consultant company. The first route has less risk and needs relatively less initial funds but would limit the capacity of research group's future activities, should the source code be sold, while the last one has higher risk and needs more initial funds, but the university can retain the IP.
Sectors Energy

 
Description The product enables extra efficiency and accuracy in simulations, not possible with existing tools. The commercial partner GL Noble Denton is happy with the demonstrations and therefore is prepared to use it for commercial purposes. Use of the software will improve the safety of the structures and possibly reduce the construction and management costs. It may also benefit the development of marine renewable energy utilisation.
Sector Energy
 
Description A CCP on Wave/Structure Interaction: CCP-WSI
Amount £472,393 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/M022382/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2015 
End 09/2020
 
Description A Zonal CFD Approach for Fully Nonlinear Simulations of Two Vessels in Launch and Recovery Operations
Amount £348,022 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/N008863/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2016 
End 12/2018
 
Description A novel integrated approach to efficiently model viscous effects on wave-structure
Amount £100,106 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/N006569/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2015 
End 11/2017
 
Description Funding from Lloyd's Register
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Organisation Lloyd's Register 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2012 
End 09/2016
 
Description Funding from Lloyd's Register
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Organisation Lloyd's Register 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2012 
End 09/2016
 
Description Internal funding
Amount £3,880 (GBP)
Organisation City, University of London 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2012 
End 12/2012
 
Description Internal funding
Amount £3,880 (GBP)
Organisation City, University of London 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2012 
End 12/2012
 
Description Lloyd's Register
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Funding ID CU/Ma/YFC2011-1 
Organisation Lloyd's Register 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2012 
End 09/2015
 
Description Lloyd's Register
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Funding ID CU/Ma/YFC2011-1 
Organisation Lloyd's Register 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2012 
End 09/2015
 
Title QALE-FEM method for modelling nonlinear water waves 
Description The EPSRC projects have helped development of QALE-FEM method for modelling nonlinear water waves, which is much more efficient compared with other methods based on the same theory, i.e., the fully nonlinear potential theory. 
Type Of Material Physiological assessment or outcome measure 
Year Produced 2015 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact The code and methods have been provided to research partners in 2015. It was also installed on a machine of DNV GL Noble Denton, which is a large company in the marine engineering. They will test it and give us feedback in due course. 
 
Title Templates 
Description 42 templates were developed in this projects. The templates are expected to save considerable times for engineers to set up their models when they use the software. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2013 
Provided To Others? No  
 
Title User interface 
Description The new interface window developed in this project allows (a) more users to easily input necessary parameters and (b) more users to easily post-process and present results graphically and numerically. 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2013 
Provided To Others? No  
 
Description Collaboration with GL Noble Denton 
Organisation GL Noble Denton
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution This project consolidate the collaboration with GL Noble Denton, a major player in the field of marine engineering. GL Noble Denton played a very important role in ensuring the success of this project, in particular in forming the commercial routes, analyzing their risks, forming the templates, improving the user interface, verifying the software and providing data for practical examples.
Start Year 2011
 
Description Collaboration with Lloyd's Register 
Organisation Lloyd's Register
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Lloyd's Register contribute to a PhD studentship. Lloyd's Register will not only make financial contribution but also help supervise the student.
Start Year 2012
 
Title Software product 
Description Unique software product (named as Extreme.Offshore? provisionally) for calculating wave and current loads on slender member structures under extreme conditions, which was not previously available for industry. 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2013