Coupled dynamics of seastar mini tension leg platform using linear diffraction-radiation theory

Role of mini tension leg platforms (TLP) in oil exploration and production in marginal deepwater fields is becoming increasingly important. The choice of wave force model in the analysis of such structures could either be the Morison's equation or linear diffraction-radiation theory depending on the wave frequency range. In this paper, coupled nonlinear dynamic analysis of the SeaStar mini TLP in the time domain using the finite element method with wave loading by the linear diffraction-radiation theory is attempted. The results are compared with the similar calculations based upon the Morison's equation for wave loading as well as with the experiments. The hydrodynamics of the SeaStar in a freely floating condition is also computed using a finite element based computer code and compared with experiments.