Response of Tension Leg Platform Under Earthquake

Abstract

The tension leg platform is a type of moored stable platform whose buoyancy exceeds the weight. The supplementary equilibriating downward force is supplied by tensioned vertical anchor wires. For such a platform, heave, roll and pitch motions will be suppressed. In order to design a reliable anchoring system, it is necessary to accurately predict the forces in the mooring legs induced by earthquake action and the platform motions. This paper presents an model test of the response of a tension-leg single buoy mooring system subjected to earthquake excitation. Based on the results of the test, it can be confirmed that for the purpose of the design of T.L.P. the vertical component of earthquake must be sufficiently taken into consideration.