Then an OrcaFlex Line is created and named “Line1”. This example first defines a 10s build-up stage followed by stage 1 with 50s duration. The text data file offers benefits for QA and automation in particular and is intended to complement, rather than replace, the binary data file.Ī simple example is shown below: General: Text data files can be edited in any standard text editor and are readable, well structured and self-documenting. OrcaFlex models can be saved to text data files in addition to the traditional binary. For the latter two, confidence limits are estimated for the return level and diagnostic graphs are presented indicating the goodness-of-fit of the selected model. Rayleigh, Weibull or Generalised Pareto distributions can be fitted. Return values are estimated for a user-specified time duration, based on the time history of a selected variable. What follows are brief introductions to the new features that we consider to be most significant.Įxtreme Value Statistics results are available for all time history variables. Coatings and linings for homogeneous pipe.Īs usual there are a large number of improvements to the program, far too many to discuss here.Non-linear material properties for elastomeric bend stiffeners.Text data file (in addition to existing binary data file).Extreme value statistics post-processing of results variables.The major enhancements in version 9.3 fall into the following categories:
#ORCAFLEX 2RD LIMITING STRESS PATCH#
As usual a patch to upgrade from 9.3a to 9.3b is available for download. I should also point out that we have released a minor upgrade (version 9.3b) which fixes some bugs that have come to light in version 9.3a (the version included on the upgrade CD).
#ORCAFLEX 2RD LIMITING STRESS SOFTWARE#
We have just despatched the final upgrade CD and so all customers with up-to-date MUS contracts will have the software very soon, if not already. The result is OrcaFlex 9.3 which was formally released early in August. The excellent agreement between the two codes proved that the computationally light SOFT4S can be reliably used in the optimization of the SF components in the context of control co-design, where both controls and structures are simultaneously designed to reduce overall costs.As now seems to be traditional, here at Orcina we have spent the summer months working very hard to complete a major upgrade to OrcaFlex. The newly developed structural model is implemented in the software tool SOFT4S which was verified against ANSYS. After assessing the loads, the leg dimensions and the reinforcement geometry are determined by satisfying both SLS and ULS requirements based on design standards. The second load case is an operational condition at sea and near turbine rated-power. The first loading scenario occurs on a dry-dock during SF's assembly and is associated with the pretensioning of the cables, which realizes both the overall structure stiffness as well as the concrete leg and stem prestress. Two key load cases are considered in this preliminary sizing, analyzed against both service and ultimate limit states (SLS and ULS). The classical elastic beam theory is extended to a higher order to account for buckling risk and shortening due to bending, and applied to the SF's typical leg member. This article discusses the theory and the analytically developed method to determine the internal loads and the required dimensions of the SF's main components during preliminary design. The structural design of the SF must both guarantee component reliability as well as floater stability. The SpiderFLOAT (SF) is an offshore wind turbine substructure that promises to drastically reduce project capital expenditure via its modularized slender structure, efficient load path, and effective use of materials.