Spreadsheet Based Variations |
 
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Spreadsheet Based Variations |
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The preceding example which illustrates Keyword Based Variations is relatively simplistic, in that the parameters vary in fixed increments. For example, regular wave periods tend to wave between 5s and 30s, in steps of 1.0s or 0.5s. However, random seastates are usually classified according to mean up-crossing period (Tz). The Tz parameter is used in conjunction with significant wave height (Hs), and both are typically presented together on a Scatter Diagram. The Hs and Tz values are generally not round integers, nor do they vary in fixed increments.
Spreadsheet based variations are much more powerful and flexible than keyword based variations. The parameters, and all of their associated variations, are first defined in a spreadsheet. The *EXCEL VARIATIONS keyword is then used to inform Flexcom where the relevant input data is located, in terms of an Excel workbook, a worksheet name, and a cell range within that worksheet. The keyword is also used to define the names and locations of all the generated keyword files. When you run a parameterised file which contains spreadsheet based variations, Flexcom opens the spreadsheet, extracts the relevant data, and then proceeds to generate all the required keyword files based on the master template.
•*PARAMETERS is used to define parameters whose names may be referenced subsequently in the definition of other input variables.
•*EXCEL VARIATIONS is used to generate keyword files based on a parameter matrix contained in an Excel workbook.
If you would like to see an example of how these keywords are used in practice, refer to A01 - Deepwater Drilling Riser.