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Advanced LS-DYNA Analysis to Simulate Fluid Drag, Vortex Shedding on Undersea Cables

Dynamic Analysis of Autonomous Guided Undersea Cables using LS-DYNA - Predictive Engineering LS-DYNA FEA Consulting Services

Analysis

LS-DYNA

Objective

Dynamic Simulation of Autonomous Guided Heavy-Lifting Deep Sea Cables

This project leverages the ability of LS-DYNA to interactively incorporate user-defined loading to create a dynamic simulation that can numerically capture the fluid structure interaction (FSI) of the surrounding fluid without the expense of a full-on CFD simulation.

Advanced LS-DYNA Analysis to Simulate Fluid Drag, Vortex Shedding on Undersea Cables

We really don’t have any specialty as FEA consultants except how to figure out how to model complex systems. This project is no different and even its name is complex. What makes it unique is that we are simulating the dynamic movement of tensioned cables as they are whipped back and forth by sea currents during a heavy-lift operation. It is a common problem that we are solving for many off-shore operations where heavy cables are used to moor, lift, pump or tow objects. Figure 1 provides a graphic overview of various sub-sea cable uses. These cables see dynamic loads in operation and from fluid-structure-interaction (FSI) due to vortex shedding and added mass effects. Our work demonstrates a numerically elegant manner to simulate the FSI forces acting on large diameter high-modulus polyethylene rope (Spectra) during a deep-sea heavy lift operation.

Examples of undersea cables subjected to dynamic forces due to FSI
Idealization of Multi-Kilometer Subsea Lifting System - Predictive Engineering LS-DYNA Consulting Services
Dynamic Fluid-Structure Interface Coupling - Predictive Engineering LS-DYNA Consulting Services
FEA Modeling of Heavy-Lift Deepsea Cable System - Predictive Engineering LS-DYNA FEA Consulting Services