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Contact Surfaces

Overview

Guide surfaces are typically used to model the intermittent contact between a riser and another structure such as a vessel. Their use is illustrated in some of the standard examples which accompany the software.

•A02 - Spar Production Riser, which uses a series Zero-Gap Guide Surfaces to model hull-mounted guides.

•C02 - Multi-Line Flexible System, which uses an arrangement of Cylindrical Guide Surfaces to model a mid-water arch.

•H03 - Articulated Stinger, which uses a complex arrangement of Flat Guide Surfaces to model the rollerbox supports on an articulated S-Lay stinger.

There are two main steps involved in modelling contact with guide surfaces. The first of these is to define the location and geometry of the guide surfaces themselves. The second step is to define a set of elements which are to be monitored for contact with each guide.

Further Information

Further information on this topic is contained in the following sections:

•Flat Guide Surfaces

•Cylindrical Guide Surface

•Friction Modelling

•Contact Modelling

•Zero-Gap Guide Surfaces

•Contact Element Sets

•Finite Element Mesh

•Contact Element Diameter

•Dynamic Analysis and Timestep Size

•Exclude Friction Option

Relevant Keywords

•*GUIDE is used to define guide (contact) surfaces.

•*CONTACT MODELLING is used to specify specialised parameters relating to guide surface contact modelling.

•*LINES is used to define a line (and sections within that line), by specifying relevant set names, lengths, start and end locations, and mesh generation settings.

•*TIME is used to define time parameters for an analysis.

•*NO FRICTION is used to suppress the effects of friction.