Suction caissons with a smaller aspect (length to diameter) ratio are increasingly used for supporting offshore structures, such as wind turbines and oil and gas production facilities. The design of these stubbier foundations is usually governed by lateral loads from wind, waves, or currents. It is desired to have more physical understanding of the behavior of less slender suction caissons under cyclic lateral loading condition and to have robust design tools for analyzing these laterally loaded caissons. In this study, one-g model tests with 1:25 and 1:50 suction can foundation scale models with an aspect ratio of one are conducted in five different soil profiles: normally consolidated clay, overconsolidated clay, loose siliceous sand, cemented siliceous sand, and cemented calcareous sand. This test program involves monitoring settlements, lateral displacements (walking), tilt, lateral load and pore water pressures in the suction can during two-way cyclic lateral loading at one, three and five degrees of rotation. The model foundations are monitored during installation, axial load tests, and pullout tests. In one and two-degree (±0.5 and ±1 degree) rotation tests, the suction can does not have significant walking or settlement in all the five soil profiles after 1000 load cycles. However, more significant walking or settlement may occur at extreme conditions such as the 5-degree (±2.5 degrees) rotation tests. Gaps between the foundation wall and the soil may also form in these extreme conditions in overconsolidated clay, cemented siliceous sand, and cemented calcareous sand. Plastic limit analysis, finite element analysis, and finite difference analysis are used to evaluate the laterally loaded suction can in clay. The plastic limit analysis originally developed for more slender suction caissons appears to predict a lateral capacity close to the measured short-term static capacity of the caisson with an aspect ratio of one when undisturbed undrained shear strength of soil is used. However, this plastic limit model underestimates the long-term cyclic lateral load capacity of the caisson when the remolded undrained shear strength was used. The finite element model developed in this study can simulate the development and effect of a gap between the foundation and surrounding soil as observed in the experiments in overconsolidated clay. The lateral load-displacement response predicted by this finite element model matches well with the experimental data. Finally, finite difference analysis for a rigid caisson with lateral and rotational springs was developed by fitting the lateral load-displacement response of the suction can in clay. The calibrated p-y curves for rigid caisson are significantly stiffer and have higher ultimate resistance than the p-y curves recommended by API which is consistent with other studies. This finite difference model provides an efficient approach to analyze a laterally loaded caisson with a small aspect ratio in clay. / text

Esta dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo a validação do modelo numérico de manobras para navios utilizado pelo simulador chamado SMH - Simulador Marítimo Hidroviário, que foi desenvolvido no laboratório Tanque de Provas Numérico. Para tanto foram realizados ensaios experimentais de manobras com um modelo em escala reduzida da embarcação Alpha Crucis com o objetivo de criar dados de manobra que serviram como referência para validação do modelo numérico. Foram selecionados diversos tipos de manobras com o propósito de criar uma caracterização da manobrabilidade da embarcação em baixas velocidades e regime transitório, permitindo a medição de diversas características, que permitem quantificar as capacidades de manobra da embarcação. Através de experimentos numéricos foram, então, realizadas as mesmas manobras executadas pelo modelo físico em escala reduzida, de forma a reproduzir as mesmas condições iniciais e os mesmos comandos, procurando reproduzir as manobras para validação do modelo implementado no SMH. Os resultados obtidos apresentam a aderência das características de manobras do modelo implementado no SMH, através da comparação das características de manobra obtidas pelo modelo físico em escala reduzida e das obtidas pelo modelo numérico. A dissertação apresenta ainda um estudo de sensibilidade que mostra o efeito dos principais fatores utilizados no laboratório Tanque de Provas Numérico para a calibração dos modelos de embarcações, mostrando que para as manobras consideradas neste trabalho alguns dos efeitos possuem pouca influência nos resultados. Por fim o trabalho conclui que o modelo matemático utilizado pelo SMH representa a capacidade de manobra da embarcação de forma consistente para diversos tipos de manobra, e com um grau de aderência satisfatório. / This research aims to present a validation for the ship maneuvering simulator named SMH, anachronym in Portuguese for Maritime and Waterway Simulator, developed on Tanque de Provas Numérico laboratory. For this propose small scale tests were performed with a model of Alpha Crucis ship aiming to create maneuver data that was used as reference for the numerical model validation. Several types of maneuver where selected to create a characterization of the maneuverability of the ship at low speeds and transient regime, and the parameters that quantify the maneuverability were measured. Then were performed numerical experiments recreating the same maneuver executed with the experimental model, with the same initial conditions and propulsion/rudder controls, trying to reproduce the maneuvers to validate the model implemented on the SMH. The results showed that the maneuvering characteristics predicted by the SMH simulator are similar to measured values in the experiment. The dissertation also presents a sensitivity study that shows the effect of the main parameters used in the laboratory Tanque de Provas Numérico for the vessel model calibration, This study showed that for some maneuvers, the tuning parameters have less influence on the results. Finally, the work concludes that the mathematical model used by the SMH represents the ability of the vessel to maneuver consistently for several types of maneuvers, and with a satisfactory degree of accuracy.

Esta dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo a validação do modelo numérico de manobras para navios utilizado pelo simulador chamado SMH - Simulador Marítimo Hidroviário, que foi desenvolvido no laboratório Tanque de Provas Numérico. Para tanto foram realizados ensaios experimentais de manobras com um modelo em escala reduzida da embarcação Alpha Crucis com o objetivo de criar dados de manobra que serviram como referência para validação do modelo numérico. Foram selecionados diversos tipos de manobras com o propósito de criar uma caracterização da manobrabilidade da embarcação em baixas velocidades e regime transitório, permitindo a medição de diversas características, que permitem quantificar as capacidades de manobra da embarcação. Através de experimentos numéricos foram, então, realizadas as mesmas manobras executadas pelo modelo físico em escala reduzida, de forma a reproduzir as mesmas condições iniciais e os mesmos comandos, procurando reproduzir as manobras para validação do modelo implementado no SMH. Os resultados obtidos apresentam a aderência das características de manobras do modelo implementado no SMH, através da comparação das características de manobra obtidas pelo modelo físico em escala reduzida e das obtidas pelo modelo numérico. A dissertação apresenta ainda um estudo de sensibilidade que mostra o efeito dos principais fatores utilizados no laboratório Tanque de Provas Numérico para a calibração dos modelos de embarcações, mostrando que para as manobras consideradas neste trabalho alguns dos efeitos possuem pouca influência nos resultados. Por fim o trabalho conclui que o modelo matemático utilizado pelo SMH representa a capacidade de manobra da embarcação de forma consistente para diversos tipos de manobra, e com um grau de aderência satisfatório. / This research aims to present a validation for the ship maneuvering simulator named SMH, anachronym in Portuguese for Maritime and Waterway Simulator, developed on Tanque de Provas Numérico laboratory. For this propose small scale tests were performed with a model of Alpha Crucis ship aiming to create maneuver data that was used as reference for the numerical model validation. Several types of maneuver where selected to create a characterization of the maneuverability of the ship at low speeds and transient regime, and the parameters that quantify the maneuverability were measured. Then were performed numerical experiments recreating the same maneuver executed with the experimental model, with the same initial conditions and propulsion/rudder controls, trying to reproduce the maneuvers to validate the model implemented on the SMH. The results showed that the maneuvering characteristics predicted by the SMH simulator are similar to measured values in the experiment. The dissertation also presents a sensitivity study that shows the effect of the main parameters used in the laboratory Tanque de Provas Numérico for the vessel model calibration, This study showed that for some maneuvers, the tuning parameters have less influence on the results. Finally, the work concludes that the mathematical model used by the SMH represents the ability of the vessel to maneuver consistently for several types of maneuvers, and with a satisfactory degree of accuracy.

Esta dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo fundamental a apresentação de análises e comparações, que visam fazer parte do processo de aprimoramento constante do método numérico de simulação de unidades flutuantes produtoras de petróleo, chamado TPN Tanque de Provas Numérico. Para tanto, foram executados ensaios com modelo em escala reduzida, cujos resultados foram comparados com o modelo numérico do TPN. A unidade padrão utilizada nos ensaios foi a plataforma semi-submersível ITTC-SR192, escala 1:105, ensaios estes realizados no tanque de provas do IPT Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo. Por meio de comparação com os resultados dos ensaios, foram verificadas as habilidades do TPN em reproduzir os movimentos do casco, a tração no topo das linhas de produção e o amortecimento induzido pelas mesmas. Importante destacar que os parâmetros verificados tiveram a finalidade adicional de confrontar os resultados numérico-experimentais com foco na investigação da influência das linhas de produção na própria dinâmica do sistema flutuante. Tendo em vista esse objetivo complementar, todos os ensaios foram realizados com e sem a presença de linhas de produção, no texto referenciadas apenas por risers, modeladas como um grupo de estruturas bastante flexíveis e de grande diâmetro, a fim de prover um aumento significativo no amortecimento do sistema. Sendo assim, o comportamento dinâmico dos casos com e sem risers foram comparados buscando observar as diferenças nos movimentos do sistema em ondas e correnteza. Além disso, utilizando o método recomendado pela API, referência [3] , doravante denominado apenas por método Near and Far, a tração de topo de um dos risers foi simulada numericamente com a imposição de movimentos obtidos nos experimentos, dando assim meios para comparação dos critérios de projeto, considerando a influência das linhas conectadas nas plataformas de petróleo. / This research aims to present analysis and comparisons, intended to make part of the constant improvement of the oil platform analysis software, called Numerical Offshore Tank (Tanque de Provas Numérico - TPN). For this purpose, small-scale model tests were performed, and the results compared with the numerical model in TPN. The standard unit used in these model tests was the semisubmersible ITTC-SR192, at scale 1:105, and the tests were performed at IPT (State of São Paulo Institute for Technological Research) towing tank. By means of the model tests results comparisons, the ability of the TPN in reproduce the hull motions, the risers top tensions and damping induced by these lines was evaluated. Importantly, these parameters were verified with the further purpose of comparing the numerical and the experimental results, focusing on the influence of the production lines in the dynamics of the floating system. Taking into account this additional objective, all the model tests were performed with and without production lines, i.e. risers, modeled as a group of highly flexible and large diameter structures, in order to provide a significant increment in the damping of the system. Thus, the dynamic behaviors of the cases with and without risers were compared, giving means to observe motion differences in waves and current. Moreover, using the method recommend by API, reference [3], hereinafter called Near and Far, the top tension of one riser was numerically simulated with the imposition of the motions obtained in the experiments, giving means to compare the riser design criteria, considering the influence of lines attached to the oil platforms.

L’intégration des énergies renouvelables sur le réseau électrique entraîne de nouveaux besoins chez les exploitants de centrales hydroélectriques. Ainsi, les fabricants de turbines hydrauliques doivent garantir des plages de fonctionnement de plus en plus étendues, afin d’assurer une plus grande flexibilité d’utilisation des machines. Pour les turbines Francis, un fonctionnement en-dehors des conditions nominales implique potentiellement une augmentation des sollicitations mécaniques, notamment à faible débit (charge partielle). Cette hausse est due à l’apparition de phénomènes hydrauliques dans l’écoulement, dont notamment les vortex inter-aubes. Pour garantir des plages de fonctionnement étendues à leurs clients, les fabricants se doivent de maîtriser l’impact de telles conditions d’opération sur la durée de vie de leurs machines. Il est donc nécessaire de mieux comprendre l’écoulement complexe dans la turbine et son impact mécanique à charge partielle. Dans ce contexte, cette thèse a une double approche expérimentale et numérique. L’analyse se base sur des mesures et des observations réalisées lors d’essais sur modèles réduits. Elles ont permis de corréler les phénomènes hydrauliques observés et l’évolution des fluctuations de pression et des déformations dynamiques mesurées, pour différents points de fonctionnement. Ces résultats ont notamment été utilisés pour estimer le phénomène de fatigue lors du fonctionnement continu d’une turbine à très faible charge. La simulation numérique des fluides (CFD) a également été utilisée pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes impliqués dans la formation des vortex inter-aubes, et pour prédire le chargement dynamique qui s’exerce sur la roue à charge partielle. La validation des résultats numériques est basée sur la comparaison avec les données expérimentales issues des précédents essais sur modèles réduits. / The integration of renewable energies into the electricity grid brings new needs for hydro power plant operators in terms of how they are operated. Consequently, hydraulic turbine manufacturers are required to extend their machine’s operating range in order to increase their flexibility. In the case of Francis turbines, dynamic stresses could increase in off-design conditions due to several hydraulic phenomena that appear in the flow, especially at partial load. One of them is the development of inter-blade vortices in the runner. In order to guarantee an extended operating range manufacturers have to control the impact of such operating conditions on their turbines lifetime. Therefore, a better understanding of complex partial load flows and their mechanical impact on the turbines is needed. In this context, this thesis uses both experimental and numerical approaches. Reduced scale model turbines were tested in order to correlate hydraulic phenomena observed in the flow and the evolution of pressure and strain fluctuations for different operating points. The results were then used to estimate the turbine fatigue in partial load conditions. Computational Fluid Dynamics was also used to better understand the formation of inter-blade vortices and to predict the dynamic loading on the runner at partial load. These numerical results were validated by comparison with the experimental data from the previous test rig measurements and observation campaigns.

Esta dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo fundamental a apresentação de análises e comparações, que visam fazer parte do processo de aprimoramento constante do método numérico de simulação de unidades flutuantes produtoras de petróleo, chamado TPN Tanque de Provas Numérico. Para tanto, foram executados ensaios com modelo em escala reduzida, cujos resultados foram comparados com o modelo numérico do TPN. A unidade padrão utilizada nos ensaios foi a plataforma semi-submersível ITTC-SR192, escala 1:105, ensaios estes realizados no tanque de provas do IPT Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo. Por meio de comparação com os resultados dos ensaios, foram verificadas as habilidades do TPN em reproduzir os movimentos do casco, a tração no topo das linhas de produção e o amortecimento induzido pelas mesmas. Importante destacar que os parâmetros verificados tiveram a finalidade adicional de confrontar os resultados numérico-experimentais com foco na investigação da influência das linhas de produção na própria dinâmica do sistema flutuante. Tendo em vista esse objetivo complementar, todos os ensaios foram realizados com e sem a presença de linhas de produção, no texto referenciadas apenas por risers, modeladas como um grupo de estruturas bastante flexíveis e de grande diâmetro, a fim de prover um aumento significativo no amortecimento do sistema. Sendo assim, o comportamento dinâmico dos casos com e sem risers foram comparados buscando observar as diferenças nos movimentos do sistema em ondas e correnteza. Além disso, utilizando o método recomendado pela API, referência [3] , doravante denominado apenas por método Near and Far, a tração de topo de um dos risers foi simulada numericamente com a imposição de movimentos obtidos nos experimentos, dando assim meios para comparação dos critérios de projeto, considerando a influência das linhas conectadas nas plataformas de petróleo. / This research aims to present analysis and comparisons, intended to make part of the constant improvement of the oil platform analysis software, called Numerical Offshore Tank (Tanque de Provas Numérico - TPN). For this purpose, small-scale model tests were performed, and the results compared with the numerical model in TPN. The standard unit used in these model tests was the semisubmersible ITTC-SR192, at scale 1:105, and the tests were performed at IPT (State of São Paulo Institute for Technological Research) towing tank. By means of the model tests results comparisons, the ability of the TPN in reproduce the hull motions, the risers top tensions and damping induced by these lines was evaluated. Importantly, these parameters were verified with the further purpose of comparing the numerical and the experimental results, focusing on the influence of the production lines in the dynamics of the floating system. Taking into account this additional objective, all the model tests were performed with and without production lines, i.e. risers, modeled as a group of highly flexible and large diameter structures, in order to provide a significant increment in the damping of the system. Thus, the dynamic behaviors of the cases with and without risers were compared, giving means to observe motion differences in waves and current. Moreover, using the method recommend by API, reference [3], hereinafter called Near and Far, the top tension of one riser was numerically simulated with the imposition of the motions obtained in the experiments, giving means to compare the riser design criteria, considering the influence of lines attached to the oil platforms.