Optimization of a Floating Platform Design

Abstract

The design tool HYDA is a FORTRAN program developed at GVA with the purpose of aiding in the design and optimization of floating platforms. In this project a couple of sub-routines that are considered to be of particular interest in HYDA are refined. The considered sub-routines estimate mass budget, wind force, current force, mooring stiffness and static offset. The estimated mass budget is interpolated from two reference models; superstructure and area of facilities on deck are accounted for wind force scaling. For mooring systems, the mean drift force is calculated and included in the sub-routine responsible for calculating static offset and line tension. Moreover, motion responses of three different platforms are evaluated and optimization of the non-conventional unit is assessed using HYDA. The results before and after optimization are listed and compared in this report. From the comparison it can be concluded that the width of the platform after optimization is significantly reduced while the eigenperiod increases. Both of the non-conventional units before and after optimization give a good result in heave motion, which is considerably reduced compared to a conventional unit.