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Diameter Inputs

Diameter Specifications

There are a number of different element diameters relating to the Mooring Line format specification of geometric properties.

Specifically you can input values for:

•Outer diameter

•Drag diameter

•Buoyancy diameter

Values are automatically assigned to:

•Internal diameter

•Contact diameter

This section discusses the significance of each of these diameter inputs in order to eliminate any possible ambiguity or confusion.

In the Mooring Line format, diameter data you specify is used in four ways. Firstly, it is used in calculating forces on an element from a variety of sources as part of setting up the finite element equilibrium equations. Secondly, some of the values can be used in calculating cross-section properties. Thirdly, diameter values are used in calculating hoop, bending and von Mises stress output from the results of an analysis, this being a purely postprocessing operation. Fourthly, it is used to calculate the effect of coatings. Coatings are the subject of a separate section.