A hybrid model test of a deepwater OTEC mooring system

Abstract

In this paper an experimental investigation is dealt how to conduct model tests of a deep water mooring exceeding the depth range of model test basin. A hybrid mooring model, a combination of scaled model of mooring lines and a couple of linear springs, is taken into account as an equivalent substitute of full depth mooring system. An OTEC mooring system for 1,000m deep water is chosen as application model of the hybrid modeling. A 1:25 scaled model test of the surface vessel and the upper part of the mooring system is performed by using a pit (5m diameter, 12m depth) of ocean engineering basin, whose water depth is 3.5m. Feasibility and limitation of the hybrid mooring modeling is discussed. Copyright ？ 2004 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.