A model test for docking operations of a transportation vessel during float-over installation

Abstract

This study investigates the performance of docking operation in float-over installation. A series of model tests were performed at the Ocean Engineering Basin of the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO). The condition that one-fourth of the transportation vessel carrying the topside enters the jacket slot was tested. During the test, the vessel motion, line tensions, and fender forces were measured under various irregular wave headings i.e. head sea and beam sea. The relation between the vessel surge motion and line tension was investigated under head sea waves. Wave period effects were also studied in the condition of peak period 5s to 8s. To validate the experimental data, numerical simulations were performed. Numerical additional damping was found the main factor for surge motion in head sea condition. The relation between the sway and yaw motion of the vessel and tension of lines was discussed in beam sea waves. Fender effects were also studied in these conditions. Response characteristics about fender forces and the vessel motion relatively well implemented in the numerical simulations. Copyright ？ 2017 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).