A Computational Framework for Integrated Analysis and Hybrid Testing of Mooring Line Foundations

Abstract Positional restraint of floating structures is achieved using mooring systems anchored to the seafloor. Design and risk assessment of these systems is challenging due to variability in wave, wind loading, ground conditions leading to uncertainty in the load-displacement behaviour of mooring line foundations for design. Accordingly, new simulation tools shall be able to support risk-informed integrated analysis of the floating structure as a system of interacting components subjected to realistic dynamic excitation. Also, all components of the floating structure simulation model shall be supported by experimental validation. In response to this need, this paper presents a computational framework for simulating the dynamic response of floating structures up to two second-order hydrodynamic loading. The framework utilizes the finite-element method and supports both integrated analysis and hybrid testing with focus on mooring line foundations. Computational efficiency is the driving criterion for tailoring the fidelity of the element library. Results of an ideal case study are used to test computational efficiency.