Offshore platforms in waves-CFD simulations for devastating conditions

Numerical simulations of a conventional tension leg platform (TLP) were generated to investigate its response to wave-in-deck-loads under extreme wave conditions. The model was setup as a fixed body and as a floating body connected to a fixed boundary by flexible mooring cables. The overset mesh technique was utilised to account for large platform motions in the floating body CFD simulations. The validity of the CFD simulations was extensively studied using 1:125 model-scale experiments. Special attention was given to ensure the accuracy of the simulated wave profile, global and local loads on the fixed structure as well as motions and global loads on the moored floating structure. The global horizontal wave impact loads and motions were found to agree well between simulations and experiments.