Flexcom > Theory > Model Building

This section contains information on the following topics.

•Geometry discusses the various program options for defining model geometry, including the fundamental building blocks of Nodes and Elements, and the powerful Lines modelling feature. Undeformed Versus Initial Positions discusses some of the more advanced program facilities, specifically with regard to specifying an initial deformed structure configuration.

•Geometric Properties discusses the different formats for specifying structure geometric properties, namely the Flexible Riser, Rigid Riser and Mooring Line formats.

•Hydrodynamic Properties discusses the various Flexcom options for defining hydrodynamic properties, including sections on Constant Coefficients and Reynolds Number of Dependent Coefficients, plus some more Advanced Topics.

•Special Element Types discusses a range of practical modelling features provided by Flexcom. Specialised elements include Springs, Hinges and Flex joints, Tapered Stress Joints, Bend Stiffeners, Dampers, Winches, Point Masses and Point Buoys and Drag Chains.

•Pipe-in-Pipe discusses Flexcom's pipe-in-pipe modelling feature.

•Enviroment describes the ambient ocean environment, including sections on Environmental Parameters, Buoyancy Forces and Hydrodynamic Loading.

•Seabed Interaction presents a range of options for modelling seabed interaction. Rigid Seabeds may be flat, sloping, or have an arbitrary 2D piecewise linear bathymetry. Elastic Seabed geometries may be flat, sloping, or have arbitrary bathymetry specified in 2D or 3D.

•Vessels and Vessel Motions presents the various program options for modelling vessels and associated vessel motions. Vessel motions include Vessel Offsets, Low Frequency Drift Motions and High Frequency RAO Motions.

•Contact Surfaces are suitable for modelling contact between a line and a vessel, for example, contact between a riser and a spar hull.

•Line Clashing is used to model intermittent contact between adjacent lines.