Mooring System Design Based on Analytical Expressions of Catastrophes of Slow-Motion Dynamics

Abstract

Analytical expressions of the necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of mooring systems representing bifurcation boundaries, and expressions defining the morphogeneses occurring across boundaries are presented. These expressions provide means for evaluating the stability of a mooring system around an equilibrium position and constructing catastrophe sets in any parametric design space. These expressions allow the designer to select appropriate values for the mooring parameters without resorting to trial and error. A number of realistic applications are provided for barge and tanker mooring systems which exhibit qualitatively different nonlinear dynamics. The mathematical model consists of the nonlinear, third-order maneuvering equations of the horizontal plane slow-motion dynamics of a vessel moored to one or more terminals. Mooring lines are modeled by synthetic nylon ropes, chains, or steel cables. External excitation consists of time-independent current, wind, and mean wave drift forces. The analytical expressions presented in this paper apply to nylon ropes and current excitation. Expressions for other combinations of lines and excitation can be derived.