MWA Report

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP) REPORT
JANUARY 2015-AUGUST 2015

TECHNIP GEOPRODUCTION (M) SDN. BHD
Students Name
: KEE RI HONG
Matric No
: 16259
Programme
: Civil Engineering
Host Company
: TECHNIP (M) SDN. BHD. (K. L)
Company Supervisor : Anthony Musto

UTP Supervisor
: Nurul Izma Mohammed-Dr

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to thank Technip Geo production (M) Sdn. Bhd from
the bottom of my heart for providing me this amazing and wonderful opportunity to have
STUDENT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT

JANUARY 2015
my industrial training experience with a company as prominent as this. Besides, I would

like express my sincere appreciated to Mr Anthony Musto, the Discipline Leader of
Subsea Structural Engineering Division, my host company supervisor and Dr Nurul Izma
Bt Mohammed, my UTP Supervisor for their willingness to share their knowledge and
expertise to make my internship experience become more valuable and wonderful.
Furthermore, I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to my host company supervisor,
Mr Anthony Musto and Mr Muhammad Khafif Zol Azlan, senior structural engineer for
being my mentor, teaching and guiding me throughout my internship period. The
knowledge that I have gained throughout my internship period is essential and
significant in moulding me into becoming an experienced structural engineer. Apart of
that, I would like to appreciate their patience in teaching and guiding me toward
achieving the goals that have been set throughout my internship period.
Last but not least, I would like to appreciate all the staff at Technip Geo production (M )
Sdn. Bhd. for becoming the important people in helping me make this industrial training
enjoyable and memorable. I would like to thank you to everyone here for being part of
my industrial training journey.
ABSTRACT
A Mid Water Arch (MWA) is one of the buoyant subsea structures that tethered on the
mean sea level by certain buoyancy forces. Hence, understanding the responses and
stresses of the MWA due to the effect of pressure that acting on the surface of the tank
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and the existing uplift force while the buoyancy tank is submerged into the seawater is
important. In this study, these areas have been investigated through both numerical
simulations by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, ABAQUS 6.14 and
mathematical calculations based on ASME Section VIII Division 1 & 2. In order to carry
out the FEA analysis testing, it is necessary to perform the preliminary size of buoyancy
tank calculation based on ASME Section VIII Division 1. After obtained the geometry of
the buoyancy tank, the MWA model will be modelling in ABAQUS. There are three
types of simulations have been performed by FEA analysis in order to perform the unity
checks (UC): axial compressive stress testing, bending stress testing and combined
stresses testing. The FEA analysis testing results are use for comparison and validation of
the mathematical calculations based on ASME Section VIII Division 1 & 2. The findings
from this study have shown that the results obtained from numerical simulations aligned
with the results obtained from mathematical calculations.
Chapter 1
1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction of Student Industrial Internship Program (SIIP)
Student Industrial Internship Program (SIIP) is a compulsory program for
every student who is undertaking the Bachelors Degree at Universiti
Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). Duration of this Student Industrial Internship
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Program is approximately 28 weeks which is 7 months. This program is

carried out within two semesters. Students are required to take part in Student
Industrial Training (SIT) for the first semester, roughly around 14 weeks
while for the remaining 14 weeks, students are required to undergo Student
Industrial Project (SIP). This is the full cycle of the Student Industrial
Internship Program (SIIP). The main objective of this SIIP is to get to know
the real working environment. Throughout this exploration, students are able
to relate their theoretical knowledge to practical application in the real
industry. This program will be able to develop skills of students in various
areas, which include safety practice, work ethics, communication, teamwork,
management and even technical expertise. Students will be able to obtain
working experiences and skills while performing their tasks during their
internship period.
There are several objectives of the industrial project program according to the
Student Industrial Project Guidelines for Students are as follows:
To apply and integrate the knowledge especially theoretical

knowledge in the industry. The objective of the industrial project is to
provide a chance for students to apply theoretical knowledge learned
in the university into the real-world working environment. Therefore,
the student will have a better understanding of the knowledge learned
by having hands-on experience working with the industrial
practitioners.
To enhance the analyzing skills especially in the complex engineering
and technical projects or problems. There will be an attached project
assigned to the students during their internship period. Within the
internship period, students will be exposed to the real working
environment. Hence, students will be able to learn to work in a team
and independently to solve and manipulate the assigned project and
tasks given by the host company.
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To enhance the soft skills of students in term of evaluating and

proposing solutions for given tasks and projects. In this case, students
will have the chance to work among engineers from difference
background. Students will have the chance to join with the
professional to overcome engineering-based problems arise
throughout the project. Throughout the project, students will be able
to gain valuable experience and experience while working. Hence,
students will be able to enhance their confidence level and
communication skills throughout the journey.
While performing the project assigned by the supervisor of the host

company, students will have the opportunity to apply their
communication, practical and technical skills gained to potential
employers. Students will be able to practice their engineering activities
with engineers.
During the internship period within 28 weeks, students are required to
complete the logbook report assigned by UTP. The written logbook report
will be checked and assessed by the host company supervisor. The last
few weeks before the second semester of the internship, every student
will be assigned a UTP supervisor. Furthermore, students will be required
to compile the important information into a Student Industrial Project
Report. Students are required to present the project to the UTP supervisor
and Host Company supervisor during the SIP Assessment Visit.
1.2 Introduction of Student Industrial Project Report
Student Industrial Project Report is the summary of all the relevant
information of the task and project that has been assigned to the student
within the second semester of the Student Industrial Internship Training. This
SIP report will consist of 6 parts. The contents of this report will be totally
depending on the project that the student has assigned.
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The author was handling the design of Mid Water Arch (MWA) Tank and
Structure system. The Mid Water Arch system includes buoyancy tank, gutter,
bulkhead and gravity base. While designing a Mid Water Arch Tank and
Structure system, all the design parameters were considered and the structural
integrity check has to be performed. All selected equations and figures were
taken from references mentioned at the end of this report.
1.3 Objectives
Objective of this study is to investigate and analyze Finite Element Analysis
(FEA) ABAQUS when it is used to evaluate maximum allowable applied
stresses of a Mid Water Arch (MWA) system as a test specimen and to
investigate the induced stresses while various types of loadings applied on the
system. The results obtained from FEA ABAQUS will be compared with the
results obtained by hand calculations based on ASME Section VIII Division 1
&2. A Mid Water Arch system will be modeled in FEA ABAQUS. As it was
being loaded by various types of loadings in order to determine the induced
stresses and maximum allowable applied loadings. Multiple analyzes will be
investigated are listed as follows:
1. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under internal pressure.
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2. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under external pressure.

3. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under design pressure.
4. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under buoyancy force/uplift force.
5. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under design pressure and uplift force.
The objective of these analyzes is to obtain various types of unity checks
(UC) based on the induced stresses on a MWA system under various types of
conditions by using FEA ABAQUS. By placing different types of loadings on
a MWA system, it is easier to obtain the induced stresses created by the
applied loading and maximum induced stresses created by the maximum
allowable applied loadings. Hence, the unity check (UC) based on FEA
ABAQUS analysis can be calculated.
1.4 Scope of Study

This study focuses on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) calculation for the
design of Mid Water Arch (MWA) tank and structure. In normal cases, ASME
analytical calculation is used for the design of Mid Water Arch. Therefore,
short section on ASME analytical calculation is included.
A comparison between ASME analytical calculation and FEA calculation for
design of Mid Water Arch tank and structure and structural integrity is carried
out in this study.
1.5 Problem Statement
As global crude oil price continues to drop, the world is in need of low cost
harnessing alternatives to supplement a tremendous dropping price of crude
oil price. In recent times, many developed countries have pushed for low cost
harnessing alternatives which can reduce the production cost of fossil fuels
especially crude oil. The marine structures are commonly used in harnessing
the fossil fuels especially crude oil. Such marine structures technologies are
still at their infancies and present a huge engineering challenge. Therefore,
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there are some guidelines, design codes, research and engineering practice
have been developed in recent year in order to improve the structural integrity
of the marine structures and yet reduce the production cost. The Finite
Element Analysis (FEA) has been famous for structural integrity analysis
especially on strength and fatigue analysis of marine structures. Therefore, in
order to optimize the design of MWA system especially on structure integrity,
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is chosen to perform the structure integrity
check of MWA system.
1.6 The Relevancy of the Project

Mid Water Arch (MWA) system is commonly used as a subsea buoyant to
support the flexible risers or umbilical in a designed risers configuration. A
comparison between the ASME Analytical Calculation and FEA Calculation
for the design of MWA Tank and Structure is performed in this study. This
study will always be relevant to what the author has previously studied
because MWA system is a marine structure that is used as a structure that can
transmit loads from the riser to the gravity base. This loads transmission is
relevant to the subject that the author studied before, which is: Structural
Analysis.
1.7 Feasibility of Project
The duration of Student Industrial Project (SIP) is 14 weeks. The training
schedule of the author for the entire SIP period was constructed based on this
project.
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Chapter 2
2.0 Background and Literature Review
2.1 MWA SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND DEFINITIONS
A Mid Water Arch (MWA) is one of the buoyant subsea structures that are
tethered on the mean sea level by certain amount of buoyancy force. MWA is
commonly used to support an array of the flexible riser and umbilical to
perform a designed riser configuration. Thus, the cumulative risers tension
can be reduced at the both end of the riser and umbilical. This is able to
protect the integrity of the supported flexible riser and umbilical. Besides
that, MWA is designed to maintain the allowable risers curvature and avoid
the clashing or entanglement of riser without affecting the touchdown point
of the riser. The MWA is also used to maintain a constant touchdown point.
Hence, the flexible riser and umbilical system will be able to achieve a
designed configuration such as: lazy-S or steepS riser configuration. Both
types of the risers configurations are commonly used in conjunction of
Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facilities.
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2.2 MWA Riser Configurations

Flexible riser is designed with certain flexibility to cope with floater motions.
The flexible riser will be designed with certain riser configuration such as
Lazy-S, Plaint-S or Lazy-wave configuration to absorb floater motions. The
flexible riser is designed to be having high dynamic resistance. Therefore, it
can be operated under deep and harsh environment.
Lazy-wave Riser Configuration
Lazy-wave riser configuration is commonly used in place with many FPSOs
around the world. In this configuration, the flexible riser will be supported
with multiple small buoys. The lazy-wave configuration is used to minimize
riser movement from wave and current action. Normally, setting lazy-wave
riser buoyancy at fifty percent more than the total depth as the depth increase
beyond 1000 meter will leave significant weight applied to the turret.
Figure 1: Lazy Wave Configuration

Lazy-S and Steep-S Configuration
Lazy-S configuration is created by a tethered buoy by separating flexible riser
into lower J-catenary and upper U-catenary. In this type of configuration, the
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tethered buoy can used to solve the problem encountered with the touchdown
point. The subsea buoy can be used to absorb the tension induced by the
floater. Hence, the touchdown point will be eventually experienced only a
little or no tension variations. A lazy-S might be facing compression problems
at the riser touchdown if large vessel motions happened.
A lazy-S configuration required a complex installation procedure, therefore
lazy-S configuration will be only considered if catenary and wave
configuration is not suitable for that particular field. A Mid Water Arch
system which consists of mid-water arch, tether, and tether base is required
for this type of configuration.
Figure 2: Steep S configuration
Figure 3: Lazy S configuration
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Pliant Wave Configuration

Pliant Wave configuration is almost similar as steep wave configuration
where a subsea anchor is applied in this configuration. Subsea anchor is used
to controlling the touchdown point. In this configuration, tension in the riser
will be transferred to the anchor and not to the touchdown point. Hence, this
configuration is able to accommodate a wide range of bore content densities.
Figure 4: Pliant Wave Configuration
Pliant S Configuration
Pliant S configuration is normally applied for shallow water applications where
large vessel offsets are difficult to accommodate. Plaint S configuration consists
of a lower tether and clamp attached to the riser just above the touchdown point.
The dynamic loads in the riser at touchdown are able to be reduced by lowering
the tether. Bend restrictors will be used in this configuration to prevent bending.
The MWA divides the risers into upper and lower catenary section. Besides,
MWA is able to provide the riser system with sufficient compliance to
accommodate surface vessel movements. The MWA is mainly designed to
provide sufficient net buoyancy to support the risers and umbilical in their
designed configuration. The spacing between the individual supported riser and
umbilical can be maintaining by providing the lateral guidance. The clamp at the
top of the MWA is used to fix the riser on top of it. The gutters are used to ensure
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the Minimum Bending Radius (MBR) is achieved for each riser.
Figure 5: Pliant S Configuration
2.3 MWA, Tether, and Tether Base General Arrangement

A MWA system is combined a MWA, tether, and a tether base. The buoyant
MWA is tethered to a tether base at the seabed. A MWA system will be
discussed in this section. A MWA system arrangement is shown in Figure
XXX below.
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Figure 6 : General Arrangement of a Typical MWA System
2.4 MWA Description

A Mid Water Arch (MWA) is designed to support flexible risers at the seabed.
Therefore, the designed mid-water arch system needs to have sufficient net
buoyancy to support the flexible risers at their designed configuration. Each
MWA made up of two buoyancy tanks. The buoyancy tanks are used to
support gutters with a clamp housing that the riser is locked into. The key
features of the MWA are shown in Figure XXX. The main components of the
MWA are described in the following section.
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Lateral
Deflectors
Lifting
Point
Support
Gutter
Gutter
Extension
Buoyancy Tanks
Bulkhead
Figure 7: Mid Water Arch (MWA) Description Anode

s
Buoyancy Tanks
The tanks are made up of a cylindrical body and two ellipsoidal
heads. They provide sufficient net buoyancy to ensure a restoring
force. Hence, the MWA response can be satisfied all the riser
performance requirements and avoid any slack in the tether.
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Support Gutter
The support gutter is a series of the curved plate. The curved plates
are designed for the riser or umbilical to rest. The curvature is
designed to ensure that no riser will be subjected to a curvature
below the applicable operational Minimum Bending Radius (MBR).
Separate arch plates are normally located on each side of Mid Water
Arch. A gap at the 12 oclock position at the support gutter will be
provided for flexible product clamps.
Bulkhead
Bulkhead is a vertical plate which welded to the buoyancy tanks. The
bulkhead is used to support the gutter at a regular interval.
Guide System
The guide system is a system where located on top of MWA and is
used to aid the installation of the risers on the MWA. The guide
system is used to maintain clearances between adjacent risers and is
used to transfer lateral loads applied on the risers to the MWA during
operation.
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Tethering Point
Each MWA is held at its given position by two mooring chains that
are set up in a Y configuration. The tethers are connected to MWA
at the pad eyes location. Normally, the pad eyes are designed to have
a swivel function.
Lifting Pad Eyes

Lifting Pad Eyes is used for lifting the MWA during transportation,
load out, and installation. Normally, the lifting pad eyes will be
connected to the upper part of the gutter.
Anodes
Sacrificial anodes are used in the MWA system to provide catholic
protection over the design life of the system.
2.5 Geometry and Layout
General
A MWA system has to be designed in a correct geometry to provide
the sufficient net buoyancy to support flexible risers in a correct
manner. A correct geometry for a MWA is able to ensure that the
designed curvature is always equal to or greater than the permitted
operation Minimum Bending Radius (MBR) to ensure that the
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flexible risers will work for all the possible rotations and rotations
during operation.
The parameters have to be taking care while designing the MWA are
shown follow:
Buoyancy Requirements
Operational MBR of the Supported Flexible
Design Radius of Support Gutter and Lateral
Deflector
Spacing of Flexible Products across the Width of
Extent of Lateral Deflectors
Clamp Housing Allowance
Buoyancy Requirements
Dynamic analysis of a complete MWA system has to be performed to
obtain the net buoyancy requirement for a MWA system. There are
two main constraints have to be focus on while performing dynamic
analysis, which are avoidance of slack mooring tether condition and
the buoyancy provided have to be sufficient to restore the forces
required while the flexible riser is operating. The net buoyancy force
can be calculated from the equation provided as below.
MWA Net Buoyancy (Te) = MWA Displacement (Te) MWA Self Weight (Te)
The net buoyancy provided by the MWA will be vary over time due
to several factors such as marine growth, anode depletion and water
absorption by buoyant materials, such as syntactic foam.
These factors have to be accounted for in establishing the generated
MWA Net Buoyancy at the early stage of installation and at the end
of the specified design service life. The value of the MWA net
buoyancy has to be at least the minimum required MWA net
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buoyancy at the end of the service life to prevent failure occurred

while servicing.
The manufacturing tolerances on mass have to be clearly understood
while designing the MWA system. During the manufacturing
process, the manufacturing tolerances on mass have to be diligently
monitored. The manufacturing tolerances on mass are one of the
critical factors to both the installation process as well as the operating
performance of the MWA. Hence, upper and lower bound of the
MWA system mass have to be estimated and should be maintained
throughout the manufacturing process to ensure the minimum
required buoyancy is achieved.
Operational MBR of the Supported Flexible

According API Specification for Unbonded Flexible Pipe 17J, the
behavior of the flexible will become less dynamic if the flexible is in
contact with the MWA support gutter compared to the unsupported
catenary. Therefore, the operational MBR of the flexible riser can be
reduced at the supported region.
The current edition of API Specification for Flexible Pipe Ancillary
Equipment 17L1, section 9.3.3 states that the 3D bending radius of
the supported flexible pipes on the gutters have to be at least 1.25
times the largest storage MBR of the supported flexible pipes. In
this context, the gutter will be equal to the support gutter.
Correspondingly, according to the current edition of API
Specification 17J table 9 states the dynamic-supported operational
MBR is 1.1 times the storage MBR.
However, both values are only recommended minimums. Therefore,
a larger value may be required to be set for the specific riser or
umbilical depending on the environmental exposure and flexible
construction. In order to increase the required crush resistance of the
flexible over the MWA, it may require increasing the radius.
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However, a tight radius will negatively impact on the service life and
the fatigue resistance of the flexible riser.
Design Radius of Support Gutter and Lateral Deflector

The design radius of support gutter and a lateral deflector is
depending on the MBR. The design radius shall not be less than the
permitted operational MBR. The design radius of the support gutter
plate will be depending on the largest value of permitted operational
MBR substrate the outer radius of the flexible product.
The design lateral deflector radius is depending on the permitted
operational MBR of the flexible riser. According to API Specification
17J, the minimum design radius of support gutter and lateral
deflector is 1.5 times the storage MBR. A larger value might be
required if the environment is harsh.
Spacing of Flexible Products across the Width of Support Gutter

The width of support gutter is provided to ensure support to the
furthest most flexible product in their worst off lead conditions. In
order to minimize the MWA plan area, width and radius of support
gutter should be minimized. Therefore, the hydrodynamic forces can
be reduced during installation and in service. The mass to lift the
MWA and space required during installation of MWA can be reduced
as well. In order to minimize the effect of different sizes and tension
variation, the spacing and arrangement of the flexible products over
the MWA should be chosen.
Extent of Lateral Deflectors

The arrangement of the lateral deflector is mainly used to manipulate
and control the lateral movements of the flexible products and the
MWA. Dynamic analysis has to be performed as part of the MWA
system design process to calculate the extent of the combined
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movement of the MWA system.
Clamp Housing Allowance

At the initial stage of the design, finalized flexible product clamp
dimensions are not available. Therefore, the mid-water arch structure
is initially sized an allowance for the clamps. There is a rule and
guideline to follow and apply the early design phase for the
allowance for the clamps. Since the allowance of the clamps will
have a direct effect on the plan area of the mid-water arch structure,
therefore a more accurate value for the length of the clamp is known,
the required gap should be redefined.
2.6 Component Design
General
The design of the following components will be described in detail:
Types of Buoyancy
Buoyancy Tanks
Lift Points
Support Gutter
Tethers
2.6..1
Types of Buoyancy
Steel Tank Buoyancy
The buoyancy tank is made up of ring stiffened cylinders with
tori spherical dome ends. MWA has operated in shallow water
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depth. The hydrostatic pressure will be generated at the shallow

water where were low enough to allow a lightweight tank
structure to generate the required buoyancy force sufficiently.
Nitrogen will be pre-charged into the buoyancy tank to prevent
buckling occurred where the pressure different between the tank
and its internal pressure can be reduced.
2.6..2 Buoyancy Tanks

Steel buoyancy tanks are designed according to the ASME Section
VIII. They are generally made up by a ring stiffened cylinder and
torispgerical dome ends. There are several considerations needed to be
addressed in buoyancy tank structural design which are as follow:
Tank Outer Diameter and Tank Length
The outer diameter of the tank will influences displacement and
buoyancy of the tank. However, this parameter is the most
expensive parameter since increasing of outer diameter will
eventually increases the following parameters:
Shell plate area
Girth weld lengths
Dome end sizes
Ring frame lengths
Ring frame number sizes to resist buckling
collapse
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Conventional manufacturing limits on torispherical dome ends

will be chosen if the outer diameter less than 7.0m. Diameter
beyond this range, a special manufacturing method is required.
The minimum length of the tank is depends on the spacing of the
risers across the MWA. However, the maximum length of the
buoyancy tank limited by practicalities of installation.
Design Pressure Selection
Design pressure will influences requirement of tank shell
thickness and stiffening requirements. Nitrogen will be
pressurized into the buoyancy tank in order to reduce the
differential external pressure at depth.
Dynamic pressure component due to wave passage must be
considered while designing the design pressure.
2.6..3 Lift Point
Lift point design for MWA should be designed in accordance with
DNV OS H205.
2.6..4 Support Gutter
Support Gutter Webs
Deep plate webs are generally used as support gutter plates and
are connected to the buoyancy tanks. The deep plate webs are
spread longitudinally to coincide with the tank ring frames.
Support Gutter Transverse Stiffening
Transverse stiffening is designed to support the arch plate
between the main support webs. The design of the transverse
stiffening is used to resist the radial line load created by riser
tension acting over the MWA.
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2.6..5 Tethers
Weight, fatigue performance, creep, wear resistance, handling and
stiffness of tether must be considered properly while designing tether
for MWA system. Section 10 of API 17L1 [C3] and API RP17L2 [C4]
are the design and material guidance for tethers. In normal cases,
traditionally steel chain is selected for tether design on MWA system.
2.7 MWA System Design

2.7..1 Design Process
Flexible, Structural and Geotechnical disciplines are involved while
designing the MWA system.
Flexible Design
Structural Design
Geotechnical Design
Selection of Riser Configuration and Pipe Structure
Flexible Pipe Service

Detailed Structural
Geotechnical
Design Design
Life Analysis -MWA Base & -Detailed
Tether Design
geotechnical design
-Strength and-Finalize
Fatigue Design
dimensions and masses of foundation components
Preliminary MWA Design
-Installation Analysis
-Installation assessment
Preliminary Tether Base Design
-Load out analysis
-Establish permitted scour depth
-Seafastening Design
Select Options
-Corrosion Protection
Dynamic Analysis
catenary
system
Finalize Installation
Methodofand
Procedure
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Review for lessons learned
Fabricate and Install

REPORT
Figure 8: MWA System Design Process

The activities outlined the design process of MWA system. The design
process will be explained in the following sections.
2.7..2 Flexible Product Design
A complete design of the flexible products will be presented by the
flexible product designer. The permitted operational MBR and net
buoyancy requirement to be used in MWA will be presented at this
stage.
2.7..3
Dynamic Analysis
A complete dynamic analysis for the proposed riser configuration will
be performed. The flexible design process is very essential because
this process will output many important design requirements of the
MWA system. Sensitivity studies shall be considered to quantify the
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effect of assumptions such as: Marine growth and hydrodynamic

factors on MWA design.
All the in-place operational load conditions must be defined while
performing the dynamic analysis.
2.8 Structural Assessment

Key considerations involved in the structural assessment of MWA system will
be outlined in this section. The components of MWA system require to be
assessed based on standard design codes.
2.8..1 Strength Assessment
Buoyancy Tank Design Assessment
A typical steel buoyancy tank shall be designed based on ASME
Section VIII Division 1&2. ASME Section VIII Division 1&2
provides both an analytical calculation approach to verify the
buoyancy tank design and its structural integrity. Finite Element
Methods (FEM) shall be performed to verify the structural integrity of
the buoyancy tank design.
2.8..2 Design Load Cases
Structural integrity of Mid Water Arch (MWA) system has to be
checked for the load conditions such as pressure testing, onshore
lifting and load-out, sea-fastening and transportation. The in-place
conditions should be taking into account as well due to the effects of
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buoyancy and riser system load.

2.9 Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
2.9..1 Introduction
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a computerized method that used to
predict how a product reacts while differences types of load
conditions applied on the model. Finite element analysis shows the
responses of the product while the existing loadings applied on it.
There are two general types of FEA analysis which are commonly
used in industry: 2-D modeling and 3-D modeling. While 2-D
modeling is a simplified model that allows the analysis to run on a
normal computer. The result obtained from a 2-D modeling is
normally less than the accurate result. However, 3-D modeling
provides a more accurate result.
Finite Element Analysis works by breaking down a real object into
thousands to hundreds of thousands of finite elements. Mathematical
equations will be used in this FEA analysis to predict the behavior of
each element. All the individual behaviors will be added up by the
computer system to predict the actual behavior of the object.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) will be able to predict the behavior of
products affected by various types of physical effects, which are:
Mechanical stress
Mechanical vibration
Fatigue
Motion
Heat transfer
Fluid Flow
Electrostatics
Plastic injection molding
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Chapter 3
3.0 References
3.1 General
The following section outlines the reference documents for this study.
3.2 Project References
No
1
Document Title
MWA SYSTEMS AND GRAVITY BASE DESIGN REPORT
3.3 Codes and Standards

No
1
Description
Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII-
Code No
ASME VIII
Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
ASME II, Part D
Materials
The following is a list of design codes and standards used for this study.
3.4 Software
No
1
2
Software
ABAQUS 6.14
MathCAD 14.0
Application
Finite Element Analysis
Analytical Calculations
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Chapter 4
4.0 Methodology and Approach
Overview
This section outlines the overview of this study: Comparison between
ASME Analytical Calculation and FEA Calculation for the Design of Mid
Water Arch Tank and Structure. A brief introduction on Mid Water Arch
Tank and Structure, ASME Analytical Calculation and FEA Calculation will
be presented in this section.
In addition, the calculation steps of preliminary design of Mid Water Arch
system based on ASME Section VIII Division 1 & 2 will be discussed in this
section. The modelling steps and structural integrity check of MWA system
performed in FEA ABAQUS will be outlined in this section.
4.1 Introduction
The title of this study is Comparison between ASME Analytical Calculation
and FEA Calculation for the Design of Mid Water Arch Tank and Structure.
Throughout this study, two types of calculations will be shown, which are
ASME Analytical Calculation and FEA Calculation. ASME Analytical
Calculation is a more conservative method for MWA system design compared
to FEA Calculation because ASME Analytical Calculation is only focus on 2
dimensional (2D) whereas FEA Calculation is focus on 3 dimensional (3D).
In a 2D model, the loads only can be transmitted in two directions with a
maximum of 4 degrees of freedom whereas in a 3D model, the loads will
have more pathways to transmit because in a 3D model, the loads can be
transmitted in three directions with a maximum of 6 degrees of freedom.
Therefore, in this study, the ASME Analytical Calculation for the design of
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Mid Water Arch Tank and Structure will be performed. The aim of this ASME
analytical calculation is to obtain the preliminary design of buoyancy tank of
MWA system. In order to ensure that the designed buoyancy tank has the
ability to perform at the optimum level throughout the life service, a series of
unity checks will be performed in this analytical calculation based on ASME
Section VIII Division 1 & 2.
In addition, in this study, a dimensional MWA system based on ASME
Section VIII Division 1 & 2 will be modeled in the Finite Element Analysis
(FEA) software, ABAQUS. Various types of load conditions will be tested on
the MWA system. The outputs of the finite element analysis will be used for
strength and fatigue analysis of MWA system. A structural integrity check
will be performed by using the outputs obtained from FEA analysis.
Lastly, a series of outputs from ASME Analytical Calculation and FEA
Calculation will be tabulated into a table. The comparison between both
calculation methods will be discussed in detail.
4.2 Steps of ASME Analytical Calculation for the Design of MWA Tank and
Structure
Introduction
ASME Section VIII Division 1&2 are used for the design of MWA tank and
structure. The general steps for the design of MWA system will be outlined
below.
Step 1 Determine the required volume of the buoyancy tank based on the
required buoyancy data and environmental data
Density=
mass
volume
[Equation 1]
Where
density is the density of the submerged medium (seawater)
mass is the gross buoyancy forces required
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Step 2 Determine the required length and external diameter of buoyancy

tank based on the required volume obtained from equation 1
Volume
D2
=
L
N
4
[Equation 2]
Where
volume is the required volume of the buoyancy tank
N is the number of the buoyancy tank
D is the external diameter of the tank
L is the length of the buoyancy tank
Figure 1 Geometry of the buoyancy tank

Step 3 Selection of buoyancy tank thickness
*Note: The process of selection has to take fabrication wise into consideration
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Step 4 Determine the geometry of ellipsoidal based on the thickness of the tank
Note: The calculation is performed based on the equations stated

above
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Step 5 Determine the allowable internal pressure of the buoyancy tank based on the
thickness of the tank
Determine the allowable external

pressure Determine the design factor
based on ASME Section VIII DIvision 2
equation 4.4. 28
Determine the design factor based on
ASME Section VIII DIvision 2 equation
4.4. 1 - 4.4.3
Determine the predicted buckling stress
equation 4.4. 25 - 4.4.27
Determine the elastic buckling stress
equation 4.4. 19
Step
4
Step
3
Step
2
Step
1
Step 5 Determine the allowable external pressure of the buoyancy tank based on the
thickness of the tank

REPORT

REPORT
P=SE x ln
( 2Dt +1)
[ASME SECTION VIII DIVISION 2 Equation
4.3.1]
where
t is the required thickness
D is the internal diameter
P is the allowable internal pressure
E is the joint efficiency based on TABLE 7.2 from ASME VIII Div II
S is the Tensile strength (at design temperature)
Step 6 Determine the design pressure of the buoyancy tank based on the
environmental data given
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Determine the minimum allowable internal

pressure
Calculate the external pressure based on the
environmental data given
Determine the design pressure by using the
equation below
Design Pressure = External Pressure Internal Pressure
Step
1
Step
2
Step
3
Step 7 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Axial Compressive Stress Acting
Alone
Assumptions to be considered:
1. Lateral unbraced length of cylindrical
member is assumed to be subjected to
buckling.
2. Both pad eyes locations are assumed to
be pinned.
UC ( compressive stress )=
Applied Compressive Stress

Allowable Compressive Stress
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Step 8 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Compressive Bending Stress
Assumptions to be considered:
1. Both pad eyes locations are assumed to
be fixed
Applied bending Stress

UC ( bending stress )=
Allowable
Bending Stress
Step 9 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Shear Stress
UC ( shear stress )=
Applied shear Stress

Allowable shear Stress
Step 10 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Axial Compressive Stress and Hoop
Compression
UC ( compressive axial design Stress )=
Applied compressive axial design Stress

Allowable compressive axial design Stress
Step 11 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Compressive Bending Stress and
Hoop Compression
Step 12 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Shear Stress and Hoop
Compression
Applied shear hoop Stress
UC ( shear hoop Stress )=
Applied hoop bending Stress
UC ( hoop bendingAllowable
Stress )= shear hoop Stress
Allowable hoop bending Stress
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Step 12 Perform an Unity Check (UC) based on Axial Compressive Stress,

Compressive Bending Stress, Shear Stress and Hoop Compression
UC ( all stress Stresses )=
Applied all Stresses

Allowable all Stresses
Important note: If one of the UC FAILED to achieve less than 1, step 3 to step 12 have
to repeat by using a higher value of thickness.
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4.3 Steps of FEA Calculation for the Design of MWA Tank and Structure
Approach
In this section, the step by step guideline to model a MWA system in FEA
ABAQUS will be outlined. The investigation of various loading conditions
applied on the MWA system will be studied in detail. The fully elastic steel
material properties are loaded into FEA ABAQUS. The end results of this
study will investigate how a MWA system in FEA ABAQUS reacts to various
types of loading conditions in fully elastic condition until it reached the yield
point.
Modeling:
4.3..1 Created Mid Water Arch System in FEA
Mid Water Arch system is a system made up by various components
such as: bulkhead, gutter and buoyancy tank. Therefore, several steps
needed to be performed in order to model a full MWA system in FEA
Analysis ABAQUS. All the modeling steps of a MWA system are
described in details below.
4.3..2 A MWA system is made up of:
a. Buoyancy tank
b. Stiffener
c. Separator
d. Main & Intermediate Bulkhead
e. Center Bulkhead
f. Gutter
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The modeling steps of each component of MWA system is described as follow:

BUOYANCY TANK
The dimensions from Figure 1 were then modeled into FEA ABAQUS. Since the
buoyancy tank is in cylindrical shape, the revolve function was used in FEA. Half of the
longitudinal cross section was modeled as shown in Figure 2 and revolved around the yaxis (centerline).
Figure 2: Sketch of Buoyancy tank (without stiffeners and separators)

With the sketch complete, the part is revolved around the centerline to develop the
buoyancy tank (without stiffeners and separators). The stiffeners and separators will be
inserted into the buoyancy tank in order to enhance the stiffness of the buoyancy tank.
The revolved buoyancy tank is shown in the Figure 3.
Figure 3: Created part revolved around center

line
Stiffener
The dimension of the stiffener is obtained from Figure 1 and then modeled
into FEA ABAQUS as shown in Figure 4. Since it is a circular stiffener, the
revolve function was used in FEA. The cross section of stiffener was modeled
as shown in Figure 4 and revolved around the y-axis (centerline).
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Figure 4: Sketch of stiffener
With the sketch complete, the part is revolved around the centerline to
develop the stiffener. A modeled stiffener in FEA ABAQUS is shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 6: Stiffener
Separator
The dimension of the separator is obtained from Figure 7 and the separator
was modeled into FEA ABAQUS. Since, the separator is a made up of a
circular plane and stiffeners. Therefore, the planar function was used FEA in
order to generate the separator whereas, extrude and revolve function were
used in FEA to generate the stiffeners on the separator. A separator model in
FEA is shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8: Separator
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Buoyancy tank with separator and stiffener

Buoyancy tank with separator and stiffener are modeled in the Assembly
mode. First and Foremost, the stiffeners and separator are arranged according
to the calculated spacing based on ASME Section VIII Division 1&2 in the
assembly mode. Lastly, the
buoyancy tank, separator and stiffener are merged in the Assembly mode. The
full model of the buoyancy tank is shown in the Figure 9 & Figure 10.
Figure 9:Buoyancy tank with separator and

stiffeners
Figure 10:Half buoyancy tank
Main, Intermediate & Center Bulkhead

The dimension of main, intermediate and center bulkhead is shown on the
Appendix and the main, intermediate and center bulkhead are modeled
according to the given dimension. Since the bulkheads are in plane shape,
therefore the planar function is selected while modeling the bulkhead. The
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sketches of bulkheads and the bulkheads model in FEA ABAQUS are shown
in Figure 11 & 12.
Figure 11: Main & Intermediate Bulkhead

Figure 12: Center Bulkhead
Gutter
The dimension gutter is shown on the Appendix and the gutter is modeled
according to the given dimension. Since the gutter has a length of 200 000
mm, therefore the extrusion function is selected while modeling the gutter.
The sketch of gutter and the gutter model in FEA ABAQUS is shown in
Figure 11 & 12.
Figure 11: Gutter

Mid Water Arch
Components of the Mid Water Arch (gutter, bulkhead and buoyancy tank) are
arranged according to the Appendix in the Assembly mode. The components
of the Mid Water Arch are merged in order to create a perfect welding to the
MWA system. The full model of the Mid Water Arch System modeled in FEA
ABAQUS is show in Figure 12.
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Figure 12: Mid Water Arch

Material
Materials used for a MWA system are steel materials which is ASTM A537 Class 2 and
S355J2. Table 1 presented the steel material specifications for MWA system.
Item
Buoyancy tanks, Tank
Separator Plate
Design Steel Grade Specification

Steel Type
Steel Grade Specification
Horizontal Gutters and

clamp slots, Vertical
gutters, bulkheads,
stiffeners and gussets
including tank separator
stiffeners
Plate
ASTM A537 Class 2
Plate
S355J2
Table 1: MWA Material Specification
Material Properties
Material properties of the steels used in MWA system are shown on the Table 2.
Properties
Unit
Value
Remarks
Specified
355
S355J2
MPa
415
ASTM 537 Class 2
Minimum Yield
Strength
Steel Density
Kg/m3
7850
Youngs Modulus
Mpa
200, 000
Shear Modulus
Mpa
80000
Poissons ratio
0.30
Table 2: Material Properties of steels used in MWA
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In order to perform the fully elastic MWA system loading analysis, two materials had to
be created. The material properties of the two materials are shown on Table 2. The
physical properties that needed to be applied to the MWA system are Youngs Modulus,
Density and Poissons ratio. The input data of material properties are shown in Figure
13&14.
Figure 13: Material Properties of ASTM A537 Class 2
Figure 14: Material Properties of S355J2

To perform the MWA loading analysis, the elastic mechanical properties are
required because this will provide the stress-applied loading relationship up
to the yield point. The stress-applied loading relationship is used to obtain the
maximum allowable applied loads and the maximum applied load before the
steel material yielded. Therefore, the elastic mechanical properties are
required to create a linear stress-strain relationship of the steel material.
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Mesh
The mesh of the MWA system is an essential element that needed to be studied in detail.
In order to obtain the stresses that are realistic, the meshed component cannot be in poor
condition. A correct number of seed size needed to be assigned to the MWA system in
order to obtain the reasonable output stresses. If the assigned mesh elements are too large
then the stresses between each element can be magnified. On the other hand, if the mesh
is too fine, the part might consume too much memory space within the computer and it
will prolong the analysis. Hence, selection of the mesh density is very important for FEA
analysis. Therefore, a correct mesh density is very important to obtain an accurate result.
In this MWA loading analysis, a seed size of 50 is used throughout the whole system.
The meshed MWA system in FEA ABAQUS is shown in the Figure 15.
Figure 16: Meshed MWA
Boundary Conditions and Loading

Mid Water Arch (MWA) system is used to support the flexible risers or umbilical under
the seabed and tethered by a gravity base while operating. Therefore, the translation of
MWA system is fixed in all the three direction and the rotation of the upward direction,
z- direction is fixed while operating. Moreover, the MWA system will be subjected by
external pressure on the external buoyancy tank surface and internal pressure on the
internal buoyancy tank surface uniformly. Besides, the existing buoyancy force in the
vertical direction will created an uplift force to the buoyancy tank itself. In order to
simulate the real operating environment for MWA system in FEA ABAQUS, the
boundary conditions of the MWA system has to be fixed in all the three translation
direction which is U1, U2 and U3. For rotational of the MWA system in FEA ABAQUS,
the UR3 has to be fixed. The applied boundary conditions of the MWA system are shown
in the Figure 17.
Figure 17: Boundary Condition of MWA

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Various types of loading are then applied to the MWA system separately in FEA
ABAQUS. 5 types of analyses were performed separately in FEA ABAQUS. The
loadings applied on 5 types of analyses in FEA ABAQUS were shown on the
Table 3.
Type of Analysis
Applied Loading
1. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under
Internal Pressure
internal pressure.
External Pressure
external pressure.
Design Pressure
design pressure.
Body force (Uplift force/volume of tanks)
buoyancy force/uplift force.
Design Pressure & Body force
design pressure and uplift force.
Table 3: Types of Applied Loading
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Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under internal pressure

In order to perform the first type of analysis (Mid Water Arch (MWA) system
under internal pressure), the internal pressure has to be in the form of linear
perturbation. In this case, there are 10 steps of internal pressure in linear
perturbation form are created. The amount of internal pressure applied for each
step is shown in the Table 4 and Figure 18 show the location where the internal
pressure applied on the MWA system in FEA ABAQUS.
Steps (linear perturbation)

Applied Internal Pressure 1
Applied Internal
Pressure (MPa)
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
Table 4: Applied Internal Pressure
Figure 18: Applied Internal Pressure on MWA system
The applied internal pressure as shown in Table 4 for each step has the increment
of 0.1 MPa from the previous step. This increment is used to obtain the linear
stress-applied internal pressure relationship. For this linear stress-applied internal
pressure relationship, the maximum allowable applied internal pressure and the
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maximum applied internal pressure before the MWA buoyancy tank yielded can
be obtained.
Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under external pressure

In addition, the second type of analysis (Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under
external pressure) was performed by create the step named external pressure. The
step has to be in the form of linear perturbation. In this case, there are 10 steps of
external pressure in linear perturbation form are created. The amount of external
pressure applied for each step is shown in the Table 5 and Figure 19 show the
location where the external pressure applied on the MWA system in FEA
ABAQUS.
Applied External
Pressure (MPa)
Applied External Pressure 1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
Table 5: Applied External Pressure
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Figure 19: Applied External Pressure on MWA system
The applied external pressure as shown in Table 5 for each step has the increment
of 0.1 MPa from the previous step. This increment is used to obtain the linear
stress-applied external pressure relationship. For this linear stress-applied
external pressure relationship, the maximum allowable applied external pressure
and the maximum applied external pressure before the MWA buoyancy tank
yielded can be obtained.
Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under design pressure

Furthermore, the third type of analysis (Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under
design pressure), the design pressure has to be in the form of linear perturbation
and the design pressure is calculated based on the equation: Design Pressure =
External Pressure Internal Pressure. In this case, there are 10 steps of design
pressure in linear perturbation form are created. The amount of design pressure
applied for each step is shown in the Table 6 and Figure 19 show the location
where the external pressure applied on the MWA system in FEA ABAQUS.

Applied Design Pressure 1
Applied Design
Pressure (MPa)
0.1
0.2
0.3
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0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
Table 6: Applied Design Pressure
Figure 20: Applied Design Pressure on MWA system
Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under buoyancy force/ uplift force
Moreover, the forth type of analysis (Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under buoyancy
force/ uplift force), the applied body force has to be in the form of linear perturbation
and the applied body force is calculated based on the equation: Body force = Uplift
force/ Volume of the buoyancy tanks, where the volume of the tank is 6071858176 mm3
(in my this project). In this case, there are 10 steps of uplift force in linear perturbation
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REPORT
form are created. The amount of body force applied for each step is shown in the Table 7
and Figure 20 show the location where the body force applied on the MWA system in
FEA ABAQUS.
Uplift force 1
Uplift force 2
Uplift force 3
Uplift force 4
Uplift force 5
Uplift force 6
Uplift force 7
Uplift force 8
Uplift force 9
Uplift force 10
Applied Body
force(N/mm3)
1E-4
2E-4
3E-4
4E-4
5E-4
6E-4
7E-4
8E-4
9E-4
10E-4
Table 7: Applied Uplift force
Applied Uplift force

(N)
6.07E+05
1.21E+06
1.82E+06
2.43E+06
3.04E+06
3.64E+06
4.25E+06
4.86E+06
5.46E+06
6.07E+06
Figure 21: Applied body force on MWA system

The applied body force as shown in Table 7 for each step has the increment of 1E-4
N/mm3 from the previous step. This increment is used to obtain the linear stress-applied
body force relationship. For this linear stress-applied body force relationship, the
maximum allowable applied body force and the maximum applied body force before the
MWA buoyancy tank yielded can be obtained.
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Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under design pressure and buoyancy force/ uplift
force
Last but not least, the fifth type of analysis (Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under
design pressure and buoyancy force/ uplift force), the applied combined forces have to
be in the form of linear perturbation. In this case, the combined forces included design
pressure and uplift force. There are three studies were studied in this analysis. The first
study: the design pressure has a constant increment of 0.1 MPa and the body force has a
constant increment of 1E-4 N/mm3. The second study: the design pressure is fixed to be
0.1439 MPa and the body force has a constant increment of 1E-4. The third study: the
body force is fixed to be 5.392E-4 N/mm3 and the design pressure has a constant
increment of 0.1 MPa. The input loadings for the three studies are shown in Table 8, 9 &
10 and Figure 22 show the region where the body force and design pressure applied.
Steps (linear
perturbation)
Combined force 1
Combined force 2
Combined force 3
Combined force 4
Combined force 5
Combined force 6
Combined force 7
Combined force 8
Combined force 9
Combined force 10
Applied
Applied Body
Design
force(N/mm3)
Pressure
(MPa)
0.1
1E-4
0.2
2E-4
0.3
3E-4
0.4
4E-4
0.5
5E-4
0.6
6E-4
0.7
7E-4
0.8
8E-4
0.9
9E-4
1.0
10E-4
Table 9: Combined forces (First Study)
Applied Uplift
force (N)
6.07E+05
1.21E+06
1.82E+06
2.43E+06
3.04E+06
3.64E+06
4.25E+06
4.86E+06
5.46E+06
6.07E+06
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Second study
Steps (linear
perturbation)
Applied
Applied Body
Applied Uplift
Design
force(N/mm3)
force (N)
Pressure
(MPa)
Combined force 1
0.1439
1E-4
6.07E+05
Combined force 2
0.1439
2E-4
1.21E+06
Combined force 3
0.1439
3E-4
1.82E+06
Combined force 4
0.1439
4E-4
2.43E+06
Combined force 5
0.1439
5E-4
3.04E+06
Combined force 6
0.1439
6E-4
3.64E+06
Combined force 7
0.1439
7E-4
4.25E+06
Combined force 8
0.1439
8E-4
4.86E+06
Combined force 9
0.1439
9E-4
5.46E+06
Combined force 10
0.1439
10E-4
6.07E+06
Table 10: Combined forces (Second Study)
Third study
Steps (linear
perturbation)
Combined force 1
Combined force 2
Combined force 3
Combined force 4
Combined force 5
Combined force 6
Combined force 7
Combined force 8
Combined force 9
Combined force 10
Applied
Applied Body
Applied Uplift
Design
force(N/mm3)
force (N)
Pressure
(MPa)
0.1
5.329E-4
6.07E+05
0.2
5.329E-4
1.21E+06
0.3
5.329E-4
1.82E+06
0.4
5.329E-4
2.43E+06
0.5
5.329E-4
3.04E+06
0.6
5.329E-4
3.64E+06
0.7
5.329E-4
4.25E+06
0.8
5.329E-4
4.86E+06
0.9
5.329E-4
5.46E+06
1.0
5.329E-4
6.07E+06
Table 11: Combined forces (Third Study)
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Figure 22: Combined Forces on MWA system

These three studies were studied in detail in this project in order to obtain the maximum
allowable combined forces and the maximum applied combined forces before the MWA
system yielded.
4.0 Results, Discussions, Conclusion

4.1 FEA Results
The FEA results include Von Mises stress and principal stresses from the FEA ABAQUS
program. The results will include analysis for the MWA system under the various loading
conditions.
4.2 Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under internal pressure
Induced Von Mises stress is shown in the Table 12 while various amounts of internal
pressure are applied on the MWA system. An induced Von Mises stress and applied
internal pressure relationship is plotted and shown in Figure 23. From the Figure 23, it
shown that the induced Von Mises stress and applied internal pressure is in linear
relationship.
Internal Pressure
(MPa)
Von Mises Stress (MPa)
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0.2
73.1
0.4
146.2
0.6
219.3
0.8
292.4
1.0
365.5
1.2
438.6
1.4
511.7
1.6
584.8
1.8
657.9
2
731.0
Table 12: Induced Von Mises stress (Internal Pressure)
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Induced Von Mises Stress Against Applied Internal Pressure

800
731
f(x) = 365.5x - 0
700
657.9
600
584.8
Induced Von Mises
Stress Against Applied
Internal Pressure
511.7
500
438.6
Linear (Induced Von

Mises Stress Against
Applied Internal
Pressure)
400
365.5
300
292.4
219.3
200
146.2
100
73.1
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
Figure 23: Induced Von Mises Stress against Applied Internal

Pressure
Figure 23 shows that the relationship between the induced Von Mises stress and applied
internal pressure in linear relationship. Therefore, the maximum applied internal pressure
before the buoyancy yielded and the maximum allowable internal pressure can be
obtained from the equation of this linear relationship. The calculation performed in
MATHCAD as shown below.
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From the calculation above it shown the maximum applied internal pressure before the
buoyancy tank yielded is 1.135 MPa and the maximum allowable applied internal
pressure is 0.761 MPa. The validity check of these two values performed in FEA
ABAQUS and the result is shown in Figure 24 & 25.
Figure 24: Maximum Allowable Internal

Pressure
Figure 25: Maximum Internal Pressure

before the tank yielded
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Based on the result obtained in FEA ABAQUS, it shows that the induced Von
Mises stress against applied internal pressure is in linear relationship. The
induced Von Mises stress of MWA system when the maximum allowable internal
pressure, 0.761 MPa applied on it is 278.10 MPa in FEA ABAQUS software.
Whereas, while 1.135 MPa of internal pressure applied on it, the Von Mises stress
induced in 414.8 MPa.
In order to perform the unity check in this study, the principal stresses of
buoyancy tank of the MWA system needed to be abstracted while the applied
internal pressure (0.50 MPa) and the maximum allowable internal pressure
(0.761MPa) applied on it. The principal stresses of buoyancy tank are shown in
Table 13.
Type of Principal
Stresses (MPa)
Applied Internal
Pressure
S11
S22
S33
S12
Principle
Stress(MPa)
146.7
143.3
0
102.3
Maximum
Allowable Internal
Pressure
Principle
Stress(MPa)
223.3
218.1
0
155.6
Unity Check
0.656963726
0.657038056
0.657455013
4.3 Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under External pressure

Induced Von Mises stress is shown in the Table 13 while various amounts of external
pressure are applied on the MWA system. An induced Von Mises stress and applied
external pressure relationship is plotted and shown in Figure 26. From the Figure 26, it
shown that the induced Von Mises stress and applied external pressure is in linear
relationship.
External Pressure
(MPa)
0.2
0.4
0.6
Von Mises Stress

(MPa)
73.1
146.2
219.3
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0.8
292.4
1.0
365.5
1.2
438.6
1.4
511.7
1.6
584.8
1.8
657.9
2.0
731.0
Table 13: Induced Von Mises stress (External Pressure)
Von Mises Stress against Applied External Pressure

800
f(x) = 365.5x - 0
700
600
500
Von Mises Stress against

Applied External Pressure
400
Linear (Von Mises Stress

against Applied External
Pressure )
300
200
100
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
Figure 26: Induced Von Mises Stress against Applied External

Pressure
59 | P a g e

REPORT
external pressure in linear relationship. Therefore, the maximum applied external
pressure before the buoyancy yielded and the maximum allowable external pressure can
be obtained from the equation of this linear relationship. The calculation performed in
MATHCAD as shown below.
60 | P a g e

REPORT
From the calculation above it shown the maximum applied external pressure before the
buoyancy tank yielded is 1.135 MPa and the maximum allowable applied external
ABAQUS and the result is shown in Figure 27 & 28.
61 | P a g e

REPORT
Figure 27: Maximum Allowable External

Pressure
Figure 28: Maximum External Pressure

Mises stress against applied external pressure is in linear relationship. The
induced Von Mises stress of MWA system when the maximum allowable external
Whereas, while 1.135 MPa of external pressure applied on it, the Von Mises
stress induced in 414.8 MPa.
external pressure (0.6439 MPa) and the maximum allowable external pressure
Table 13.
Type of Principal
Stresses (MPa)
Applied External
Pressure
Principle
Maximum
Allowable External
Pressure
Principle
Unity Check
62 | P a g e

REPORT
S11
S22
S33
S12
Stress(MPa)
-188.9
-184.6
0
-131.7
Stress(MPa)
-223.3
-218.1
0
-155.6
0.845947156
0.846400734
0.846401028
4.4 Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under Design pressure

Induced Von Mises stress is shown in the Table 14 while various amounts of design
pressure are applied on the MWA system externally. An induced Von Mises stress and
applied design pressure relationship is plotted and shown in Figure 27. From the Figure
27, it shown that the induced Von Mises stress and applied design pressure is in linear
relationship.
Design Pressure
Von Mises Stress
(MPa)
(MPa)
0.2
73.1
0.4
146.2
0.6
219.3
0.8
292.4
1.0
365.5
1.2
438.6
1.4
511.7
1.6
584.8
1.8
657.9
2.0
731.0
Table 14: Induced Von Mises stress (Design Pressure)
63 | P a g e

REPORT
Von Mises Stress against Applied Design Pressure

800
f(x) = 365.5x - 0
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
Figure 26: Induced Von Mises Stress against Applied Design

Pressure
external pressure in linear relationship. Therefore, the maximum applied external
pressure before the buoyancy yielded and the maximum allowable external pressure can
be obtained from the equation of this linear relationship. The calculation performed in
MATCAD as shown below.
64 | P a g e

REPORT
From the calculation above it shown the maximum applied design pressure before the
buoyancy tank yielded is 1.135 MPa and the maximum allowable applied design
65 | P a g e

REPORT
ABAQUS and the results shown in Figure 29 & 30.
Figure 27: Maximum Allowable Design

Pressure
Figure 28: Maximum Design Pressure

Mises stress against applied external pressure is in linear relationship. The
induced Von Mises stress of MWA system when the maximum allowable design
Whereas, while 1.135 MPa of design pressure applied on it, the Von Mises stress
induced in 414.8 MPa.
design pressure (0.1439 MPa) and the maximum allowable design pressure
Table 13.
Type of Principal
Stresses (MPa)
Applied Design
Pressure
Principle
Maximum
Allowable Design
Pressure
Principle
Unity Check
66 | P a g e

REPORT
S11
S22
S33
S12
Stress(MPa)
-42.22
-41.25
0
-29.43
Stress(MPa)
-223.3
-218.1
0
-155.6
0.189072996
0.189133425
0.189138817
4. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under buoyancy force/uplift force

Induced Von Mises stress is shown in the Table 14 while various amounts of body force
are applied on the MWA system externally around the buoyancy tanks. An induced Von
Mises stress and applied body force relationship is plotted and shown in Figure 27. From
the Figure 27, it shown that the induced Von Mises stress and applied body force is in
linear relationship.
Body force
(N/mm3)
1.00E-04
2.00E-04
3.00E-04
4.00E-04
5.00E-04
6.00E-04
7.00E-04
8.00E-04
9.00E-04
1.00E-03
Volume of tanks
(mm3)
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
6071858176
Uplift force (N)
Von Mises Stress (MPa)
6.07E+05
1.21E+06
1.82E+06
2.43E+06
3.04E+06
3.64E+06
4.25E+06
4.86E+14
5.46E+06
6.07E+06
12.47
24.93
37.4
49.86
62.33
74.8
87.26
99.73
112.2
124.7
67 | P a g e

REPORT
Von Mises Stress against body force

140
120
f(x) = 124683.64x - 0.01
100
Von Mises Stress against

body force
80
Linear (Von Mises Stress

against body force)
60
40
20
0
0.00E+00
5.00E-04
1.00E-03
1.50E-03
Figure 26 shows that the relationship between the induced Von Mises stress and body
force in linear relationship. Therefore, the maximum body force before the buoyancy
tank yielded and the maximum allowable body force can be obtained from the equation
of this linear relationship. The calculation performed in MATHCAD as shown below.
68 | P a g e

REPORT
From the calculation above it shown the maximum body force can be applied before the
buoyancy tank yielded is 7.909E-4 N/mm3 and the maximum allowable body force is
5.299E-4. The validity check of these two values performed in FEA ABAQUS and the
result is shown in Figure 29 & 30.
69 | P a g e

REPORT
Figure 29: Maximum Allowable Body force
Figure 30: Maximum Body force before the

tank yielded
Based on the result obtained in FEA ABAQUS, it shows that the induced Von Mises
stress against applied external pressure is in linear relationship. The induced Von Mises
stress of MWA system when the maximum allowable design pressure, 0.761 MPa
applied on it is 278.10 MPa in FEA ABAQUS software. Whereas, while 1.135 MPa of
design pressure applied on it, the Von Mises stress induced in 414.8 MPa.
In order to perform the unity check in this study, the principal stresses of buoyancy tank
of the MWA system needed to be abstracted while the applied design pressure (0.1439
MPa) and the maximum allowable design pressure (0.761MPa) applied on it. The
principal stresses of buoyancy tank are shown in Table 13.
Type of Principal
Stresses (MPa)
S11
Applied Body force Maximum

Allowable Body
force
Principle
Principle
Stress(MPa)
Stress(MPa)
-25.65
-107.4
Unity Check
0.238827
70 | P a g e

REPORT
S22
S33
S12
98.22
0
20.98
411
0
87.79
0.238978
0.23898
3.1.5 Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under design pressure and buoyancy force/uplift
force
There are three difference studies performed in Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under
design pressure and buoyancy force analysis. The studies that will be discussed
including:
1. Design pressure has a constant increment of 0.1 MPa and the body force has a
constant increment of 1E-4 N/mm3.
2. Design pressure is fixed to be 0.1439 MPa and the body force has a constant
increment of 1E-4.
3. Body force is fixed to be 5.392E-4 N/mm3 and the design pressure has a constant
increment of 0.1 MPa.
Body force
1.00E-04
2.00E-04
3.00E-04
4.00E-04
5.00E-04
Applied Pressure
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
Von Mises Stress

58.93
117.9
176.8
235.7
294.6
71 | P a g e

REPORT
6.00E-04
7.00E-04
8.00E-04
9.00E-04
1.00E-03
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
353.6
412.5
471.4
530.3
589.3
Von Mises Stress Against Body Force

400
350
f(x) = 369303.64x - 0.01
300
Von Mises Stress

Against Body Force
250
Linear (Von Mises

Stress Against Body
Force)
200
150
100
50
0
0.00E+00 5.00E-04
1.00E-03
1.50E-03
72 | P a g e

REPORT
Von Mises Stress against Applied Design Pressure

400
350
f(x) = 369.3x - 0.01
Von Mises Stress

against Applied
Design Pressure
300
250
Linear (Von Mises

Stress against Applied
Design Pressure)
200
150
100
50
0
0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
1.2
73 | P a g e

REPORT
MPa
74 | P a g e

REPORT
75 | P a g e

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STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP) REPORT

JANUARY 2015-AUGUST 2015

: TECHNIP (M) SDN. BHD. (K. L)

Company Supervisor : Anthony Musto

: Nurul Izma Mohammed-Dr

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT

my industrial training experience with a company as prominent as this. Besides, I would

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Program is approximately 28 weeks which is 7 months. This program is

To apply and integrate the knowledge especially theoretical

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

To enhance the soft skills of students in term of evaluating and

While performing the project assigned by the supervisor of the host

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

2. Mid Water Arch (MWA) system under external pressure.

1.4 Scope of Study

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

1.6 The Relevancy of the Project

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

2.2 MWA Riser Configurations

Figure 1: Lazy Wave Configuration

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Figure 2: Steep S configuration

Figure 3: Lazy S configuration

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Pliant Wave Configuration

Figure 4: Pliant Wave Configuration

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

the Minimum Bending Radius (MBR) is achieved for each riser.

Figure 5: Pliant S Configuration

2.3 MWA, Tether, and Tether Base General Arrangement

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Figure 6 : General Arrangement of a Typical MWA System

2.4 MWA Description

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Figure 7: Mid Water Arch (MWA) Description Anode

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Lifting Pad Eyes

2.5 Geometry and Layout

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

buoyancy at the end of the service life to prevent failure occurred

Operational MBR of the Supported Flexible

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

Design Radius of Support Gutter and Lateral Deflector

Spacing of Flexible Products across the Width of Support Gutter

Extent of Lateral Deflectors

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

movement of the MWA system.

Clamp Housing Allowance

2.6 Component Design

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depth. The hydrostatic pressure will be generated at the shallow

2.6..2 Buoyancy Tanks

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Conventional manufacturing limits on torispherical dome ends

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECT (SIP)

2.7 MWA System Design

Selection of Riser Configuration and Pipe Structure

Flexible Pipe Service