SESAM BRIX Explorer for SESAM

SESAM User Course – BRIX Explorer for SESAM Workshop:

Modelling, analysis and code checking of a semisubmersible

• This workshop is based on the existence of the following files:

A workflow template for BRIX Explorer for a semisubmersible analysis

GeniE input (four js-files) for creating a panel model (T1.FEM), a Morison model
(T2.FEM) and a structural (FE) model (T3.FEM)

HydroD input (js-file) for hydrodynamic analysis in Wadam of the semisubmersible

Postresp input for displaying transfer functions

Sestra input for structural analysis

Xtract input for setting up animation of structural response to wave load

Framework input for code checking frame structure (the derrick)

Platework input for code checking stiffened plates (part of deck)

GeniE input for creating a submodel of a pontoon-column connection

HydroD input for hydrodynamic load calculation for pontoon-column connection

Xtract input for viewing structural result for submodel

Stofat input for shell-plate fatigue analysis

Xtract input for viewing shell-plate fatigue life
• The model with its main dimensions is shown below.

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SESAM BRIX Explorer for SESAM

Import the workflow template

• Start BRIX Explorer for SESAM.
• Use Navigation > Template (or click Templates in the Navigation bar to the left) to search
for a workflow template.
• Click Import, then find and open the template named Semisub_comprehensive.xml.
Create a new job and set it up
• Click Create Job in the Navigation bar to the left, select the template
Semisub_comprehensive and click Create and Open at the bottom of the window.
• In the Job field type a name of the job (the other fields are for identification of the job and
are not required to be filled in) and click Go at the bottom of the window.
• A new window pertaining to the particular job opens up. Note that this is a new process
detached from the BRIX process and with its own icon (three coloured boxes) in the task
bar: BRIX main window: job process:
In the View menu switch off the Navigation Bar and switch on the Navigation Tree.
• Select Project setup and:

Give a name (or rather a folder structure) to Project Root by browsing (click button
[…]) for an appropriate folder and making a new folder there. Normally you want to
name the folder the same as the Job itself. Answer yes to the question about
changing root folder and creating new folder structure.

Browse (click button […]) to locate the folder where the input files to GeniE,
HydroD and the other programs are stored.
Run GeniE four times to establish the models for the whole structure
• Select Panel Model:

Browse to find the appropriate Command Input File (click button […]) named
Semisub-panel-model-input.js. In the Bind Logical File dialog click the Other Folder
option that directs you to the folder for input files.

Run and exit GeniE when finished, save the database at exit.
• Select Quarter Model:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Semisub-quarter-model-input.js.

Run GeniE but DO NOT exit yet.

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When the input has been read copy to make the model complete:
» First copy (geometry only: switch to Modelling - Structure ) by mirroring
about the plane X=0 to get a half model. Disregard the message about
surfaces not copied, these are in the mirroring plane and should not be
copied.
» Then copy (geometry only) by mirroring about the plane Y=0 to get a full
model.

Exit GeniE and save the database at exit.
• Select Morison Model:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Semisub-Morison-model-input.js.

Run and exit GeniE when finished.
• Select Structural Model:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Semisub-structural-model-input.js.

Run and exit GeniE when finished.
Run HydroD/Wadam to compute motion and wave loading
• Select Calculate_Wave_Load_HydroD:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Semisub-HydroD-complete-input.js.

Run and exit HydroD when finished. Wadam is run in the background in this
process.
Run Postresp to display transfer functions (response variables)
• Select Global_Response_Postresp:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Postresp_input.jnl.

Run Postresp, display some more transfer functions and exit.
Run Sestra to compute structural response
• Select Calculate_Structural_Response_Sestra:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named SESTRA3_INPUT.INP.

Run Sestra.
Run Xtract to animate response
• Select Animate_Xtract:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named XTRACT_input.jnl.

Run Xtract.

Start the animation.

Exit Xtract.

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Run Framework to code check derrick (frame structure)

• Select Frame_Code_Checking_Framework:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named
Framework_code_checking_input.JNL.

Run and display code check results.

Exit Framework.
Run Platework to code check stiffened plate structure
• Select Plate_Code_Checking_Platework:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named
Platework_code_checking_input.JNL.

Run and display code check results.

Exit Platework.
Run GeniE to create a submodel for a pontoon-column connection
• Select Genie Modelling Submodel:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named
Semisub-submodel-input.js.

Run and exit GeniE when finished.
Run HydroD/Wadam to compute wave loading for the submodel
• Select Wave Loads Submodel:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named
Semisub-HydroD-submodel-complete-input.js.

Run and exit HydroD when finished. Wadam is run in the background in this
process.
Run Sestra to compute structural response for the submodel
• Select Structural Response Submodel Sestra:

Click Generate input file (this is a straight forward static analysis).

Run Sestra.
Run Xtract to view results
• Select View Results Submodel Xtract:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Xtract_submodel_input.jnl.

Run Xtract, view results and exit.

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SESAM BRIX Explorer for SESAM

Run Stofat to compute fatigue life

• Select Shell-Plate Fatigue Stofat:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Stofat9_input.jnl.

Run Stofat, display fatigue check results and exit.
Run Xtract to view shell-plate fatigue computed by Stofat
• Select View shell-plate fatigue Xtract:

Browse to find the appropriate input file named Xtract_fatigue_input.jnl.

Run Xtract, view fatigue results and exit.

DNV Software – BrixExpl_Semisub_Workshop DET NORSKE VERITAS 5

Revised 20 September, 2006