1. Tiểu ban Năng lượng, Kỹ thuật công trình, Vận tải và Công nghệ Biển 163
FINITE ELEMENT MODELING AND
JACKET LAUCH ANALYSIS USING A BARGE
Dinh Quang Cuong (1); Ngo Tuan Dung (2)
(1) Institute of Construction for Offshore Engineering (ICOFFSHORE)
University of Civil Engineering - 55 Giai Phong Street - Hanoi
(2) PetroVietnam Marine Shipyard J/S Company (PVshipyard),
No. 65A2, 30/4 Street, Vung Tau; Email: dqc@hn.vnn.vn
Abstract:
There jacket - barge system models can be using Software system, which have
currently on the world and in Vietnam to calculating: StruCAD*3D;
StabCAD; NEPTUNE Developed by Zentech USA; MOSES (Multi
Operational Structural Engineering Simulation) and SACS (Structural
Analysis Computer System), ProgramManual- Engineering Dynamic, Inc.
USA, but their use often by foreigners. The most important problem is the
system simulation includes barge and jacket. This paper presents method
numerically simulate the barge - jacket system for calculating the jacket launch
process using a barge by finite elements software, desire to affirm the ability of our
engineers in the calculation of the problems mentioned above.
PHƯƠNG PHÁP PHẦN TỬ HỮU HẠN GIẢI BÀI TOÁN VẬN CHUYỂN,
ĐÁNH CHÌM KHỐI CHÂN ĐẾ CÔNG TRÌNH BIỂN TỪ SÀ LAN
Tóm tắt:
Có thể dùng các chương trình phần mềm theo phương pháp phần tử hữu hạn
để giải bài toán vận chuyển, đánh chìm khối chân đế từ xà lan. Các chương
trình phần mềm nói trên là: StruCAD*3D; StrabCAD; SASC,… đã được trang
bị tại Việt Nam, tuy nhiên hầu như vẫn chỉ do người nước ngoài sử dụng. Vấn
đề quan trọng nhất khi thực hiện bài toán là sự thống nhất về mặt phương pháp
mô phỏng hệ thống kết cấu khối chân đế và sà lan trong quá trình vận chuyển,
đánh chìm. Báo cáo này trình bầy việc mô phỏng hệ thống kết cấu theo
phương pháp phần tử hữu hạn và một số kết quả ban đầu khi tính toán vận
chuyển, đánh chìm khối chân đế công trình biển bằng thép từ sà lan bằng
chương trình phần mềm theo phương pháp phần tử hữu hạn, với mong muốn
khẳng định khả năng của các kỹ sư của chúng ta có thể giải các bài toán nêu
trên đây.
1. Introduction
The launch process is broadly divided into four dynamically distinct phases:
Phase 1: Jacket sliding over the launch-way of the barge towards the rocker arm

2. Hội nghị Khoa học và Công nghệ Biển toàn quốc lần thứ V164
Phase 2: Jacket sliding on the rocker arm and rotating with respect to the rocker pin
Phase 3: Jacket tipping on one side of the barge
Phase 4: Separation of the jacket from the barge
During each phase, the equations of motion are developed and solved using a powerful
variable time step algorithm [1] [2]. In the launch formulation, the barge-jacket interaction
effect is incorporated and barge and jacket motions (including displacement, velocity, and
acceleration) are computed for each time step, and the reaction forces and hydrodynamic
forces are summarized. Bottom clearance for the jacket can also be checked during the
launch process.
Currently, the program assumes the lateral symmetry of the barge-jacket system, and
thus only Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 4 are simulated by the program. Although the first
two phases of jacket motion are constrained to the vertical plane of the barge, the
hydrodynamic forces of the barge and jacket are considered in three dimensions.
2. Simulate the system
2.1. Coordinate Systems: There are five major coordinate systems:
2.1.1.The input coordinate system
The input coordinate system is the coordinate system used to generate barge and jacket
models and to enter launch data. In general, the input coordinate system is also known as
the structural global system when generating the jacket structural model. The x-axis of the
input coordinate system should be parallel to water surface and run along the center of the
barge toward the rocker arm, i.e., the launch direction. It is recommended that the x-axis of
the input coordinate system be chosen along the keel of the launch barge.
2.1.2. The barge body coordinate system
The barge body coordinate systems are fixed in the body with the origin located at the
barge Center of Gravity (C.G.), respectively (Figure 2). The barge body coordinate system
is also used to describe relative motions between jacket and barge during the first two
phases of the launch process.
2.1.3. The jacket body coordinate system
The jacket body coordinate systems are fixed in the body with the origin located at the
jacket Center of Gravity respectively (Figure 2).
2.1.4. The rocker arm coordinate system
The rocker arm coordinate system is fixed in the rocker arm, with its origin at the rocker
pin (Figure 3). The rocker arm coordinate system is mainly used to describe phase 2
motion and jacket-barge interaction forces.
2.1.5. The global (water surface) coordinate system
The global coordinate system, which is an inertial system fixed in space, that the origin
is at the water surface directly above the barge center of gravity before the launch process
begins. The global coordinate system has the same positive directions (X, Y, and Z) as the

3. Tiểu ban Năng lượng, Kỹ thuật công trình, Vận tải và Công nghệ Biển 165
input coordinate system (Figure 1). The barge and jacket motions and hydrodynamic forces
are described in the global coordinate system.
Originally, all the x-axes are in the direction of the barge bow to stern (i.e., in the launch
direction), and all z-axes are vertical upward. The y-axis is determined by the right-hand
rule. By specifying the jacket leading points, trailing points, and trailing edge distance, the
program automatically puts the jacket on the top of the launch runner based the the
assumption that the launch runner is parallel to the barge keel.
2.2. Mathematical Formulation
The forces acting on the jacket-barge system due to inertial, gravitational, frictional, and
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces are evaluated, and the equations of motion in the
form
)(tFKXXCXM   are established. (1)
M: Total mass matrix of the global coordinate system; C: Damping matrix;
K: Structural stiffness matrix; F(t): Force vector; XXX ;;  : Vector of accelerations,
velocities and displacements.
Thus the equations of motion are non-linear and the time domain method of analysis is
inevitable.

4. Hội nghị Khoa học và Công nghệ Biển toàn quốc lần thứ V166
2.3. Model Generation
Other typical input which includes the barge C.G., simulation time and time step, jacket
initial position relative to launch runner, and rocker arm data.
The barge geometry is modeled by 'PANEL' cards. Each panel is a flat area described
by connecting lines of up to 8 points. All the joints in the panel must be in the same plane.
The order of the connecting nodes, whether clockwise or counter-clockwise, will
determine the direction of the panel in accordance with the right hand rule. All the panels
must have inward normal (i.e., the direction of the panel) to form a complete enclosed
body, i.e., the hull of the launch barge.
The jacket model can be generated in any orientation in the input coordinate system
(Figure 4). By defining the contacting surface of the jacket on the barge, the program will
re-orient the jacket. The initial position of the jacket can be determined by further
specifying the initial trailing edge position and the height of rocker pin and rocker arm in
the input coordinate system. Since it is assumed that the barge-jacket system is laterally
symmetric, it is not necessary to specify the relative position in the y-direction.
The contacting surface of the jacket on the barge is defined by specifying four typical
points, i.e., the leading starboard point, the leading port point, the trailing starboard point,
and the trailing port point (Figure 1). These points are used to determine the coordinate
system associated with the contacting surface, and the contacting length of jacket structure
members on the launch runner.
Therefore, the trailing points should be the aft-most points of the jacket structure
members that contact the barge launch runner.
2.4. Initial Equilibrium Position
The barge-jacket system is assumed to be in static equilibrium under the effect of gravity
and hydrostatic forces when the launch simulation begins. The initial equilibrium position
can be obtained by the program based upon mass matrices, geometry, and the relative

5. Tiểu ban Năng lượng, Kỹ thuật công trình, Vận tải và Công nghệ Biển 167
position of the jacket and barge. However, you can also choose to enter the initial draft and
trim of the barge to define the initial equilibrium position. In this case, the program will not
check the unbalanced forces and moments, if any. Therefore, you need to make sure to enter
the correct initial equilibrium position that corresponds with other input data.
2.5. Mass Properties
In addition to structural geometry, the mass properties of the barge and the jacket are
also required for launch analysis. While the mass matrix of the jacket structure is
calculated internally by the program, you must enter the mass matrix of the barge yourself.
2.6. Winch Effect
A system of “winches” may be used to slide the jacket along the launch runner toward
the rocker arm. In this case, it is assumed that a constant winch speed is applied and the
winch process is slow enough that its dynamic effect can be neglected. Winching proceeds
until the jacket sliding velocity is greater than the winch speed. This makes the jacket slide
along the launch runner by its own weight.
2.7. Hydrodynamic Forces and Coefficients
While Morison’s equation is applied to calculate the hydrodynamic forces on the jacket,
the hydrodynamic forces acting on the barge are described by added mass and damping
coefficients. You can choose to enter these hydrodynamic coefficients to override the
default values assigned by the program (Currently not available). Both added mass and
damping coefficients must be entered in a non-dimensional form.
Non-dimensional added mass coefficients are defined as follows:
• For surge, sway, and heave: Aii/ Mass, i = 1, 2, 3
• For roll, pitch, and yaw: Aii/Iii, i = 4, 5, 6
Non-dimensional damping coefficients are defined as follows:
• For surge, sway, and heave: Bii / Mass * (L/g)1/2
i = 1, 2, 3
• For roll, pitch, and yaw: Bii/ Mass * (L/g) 1/2
* (1/L)2
, i = 4, 5, 6
Where lii is mass moment of inertial, L is the length of the barge, and g is the
acceleration due to gravity.
2.8. Load Generation
Each program-generated load case, which corresponds to each time point specified may
include parts or all of the following loads: Buoyancy, hydrodynamic forces, barge-jacket
interaction forces, and inertial forces. Member buoyancy and hydrodynamic forces are
generally transformed to member distributed loads, except that when only avery small
number of the members is submerged, and member concentrated loads are therefore used.
To generate barge-jacket interaction loads, the jacket structure joints lying on the launch
runner that is to receive the launch runner reaction is defined. Based upon these structural
joints, the program will search for the structural members contacting the launch runner,
and subsequently map the interaction forces onto these members. The program assumes
that the rocker arm is relatively rigid with respect to the jacket, and therefore interaction

6. Hội nghị Khoa học và Công nghệ Biển toàn quốc lần thứ V168
forces are distributed uniformly along the structural members contacting the rocker arm
and barge launch runner.
3. Program Output
There are two levels of output. In the Summary Output, Launch Parameters, Initial
Position, Weight and Buoyancy, Phase-wise Motion Summary, and the Height to Water
Surface reports are included. The Detail Report includes the Rigid Body Position Result 6
Degrees of Freedom (DOF), the Velocity of Jacket and Barge (6 DOF), the Acceleration of
Jacket and Barge (6 DOF), the Rocker Arm Forces, and Forces and Moments acting on the
Launch System.
You also have an option to choose output time steps for each phase, which can be
different from the simulation time steps.
To help you better understand the Launch program, sample launch outputs are explained
report-byreport on the following pages.
3.1. Jacket Mass Matrix Report
The Jacket Mass Matrix and Jacket Radius of Gyration are reported in the Input
Coordinate System with the jacket at its original position, i.e., before the jacket is
reoriented and put on the launch way (Figrue 4).
3.2. Launch Parameters and Barge Data Report
The barge-jacket system is assumed to be in static equilibrium under the effect of gravity
and hydrostatic forces when the launch simulation begins. The initial equilibrium position
(with the jacket already on the launch way) is defined by the draft at the barge center of
gravity, and barge trim and heel (Figure 2).
The Barge Radius of Gyration is relative to the body-fixed Barge Coordinate System. The
Rocker Pin location is reported in the Input Coordinate System with the barge launch way
still parallel to the X axis of the Input Coordinate System, i.e., before the barge-jacket
system achieves its initial equilibrium position (Figure 4).
3.3. Weights and Buoyancy and Initial Position Data Report
In the Input Coordinate System, the jacket weight and buoyancy are reported with the
jacket at its original position, i.e., before the jacket is re-oriented and put on the launch way
(Figure 4). However, in the Global Coordinate System, the jacket weight and buoyancy are
reported with the barge-jacket system in its initial equilibrium position (Figure 2).
The initial position data of barge - jacket system are reported in the Global Coordinate
System (Figure 2,4).

7. Tiểu ban Năng lượng, Kỹ thuật công trình, Vận tải và Công nghệ Biển 169
3.4. Rigid Body Position Results
The barge rigid body position (six degrees of freedom) is reported in the Global
Coordinate System, which is fixed in the space with its X-Y plane coinciding with the
water plane. The jacket rigid body position (six degrees of freedom) is reported both in the
Global Coordinate System and in the Barge Coordinate System, which is fixed in the barge
with its origin at the barge C.G.
For Phase 1, the only non-zero relative motion between the jacket and barge is in the
barge Хdirection, since the jacket is sliding on the launch way.
For Phase 2, the jacket has relative skid and rotational motion with respect to the barge.
These relative motion components are described as motion in 'X', 'Z' and 'Pitch' in the
Barge Coordinate System.
For Phase 4, the jacket has been separated from the barge. Thus no relative motion is
reported.
Figure 8: Phase 4 Motion Figure 9: Height to Water Surface and
Bottom Clearance

8. Hội nghị Khoa học và Công nghệ Biển toàn quốc lần thứ V170
3.5. Velocity and Acceleration of Jacket and Barge
The barge velocity is reported in the Global Coordinate System, which is fixed in
space with its X-Y plane coinciding with the water plane.
The jacket velocity is reported in both the Global Coordinate System and in the
Barge Coordinate System, which s fixed in the barge with its origin at the barge C.G.
3.6. Force Table
The total contacting forces between the jacket and barge are reported in the rocker arm
coordinate system, which is fixed in the rocker arm with the local z direction always
perpendicular to the rocker arm top and the x-direction originally in the launch direction
(Figure 3). Note that the rocker arm Y-direction is determined by the right hand rule.
3.7 Forces and Moments acting on the Launch System
All the forces and moments acting on the barge are reported in the coordinate system,
which origin is located at the barge C.G. and the X-Y-Z axes in the same direction as those
of the Global Coordinate System (Figure 5).
All the forces and moments acting on the jacket are reported in the coordinate system,
which origin is located at the jacket C.G. and the X-Y-Z axes in the same direction as those
of the Global Coordinate System (Figure 5).
3.8. Phase 1 Motion Report
In this report, the barge motions are reported in the Global Coordinate System. Since
the only relative motion between the jacket and the barge is in the x-direction of the Barge
Coordinate System (fixed in the barge), the jacket motions are better described as relative
motion. Note that the x-direction of the Barge Coordinate System will be different from
that of the Global Coordinate System if the barge has a non-zero pitch/trim angle.
Only the most important barge motions, i.e., surge, heave, and pitch, are included in this
summary report. The other motion information can be found in the detail report.
3.9. Phase 2 Motion Report
For Phase 2, both the barge and jacket motions are reported in the Global Coordinate
System. The relative skid velocity is reported in the Rocker Arm System (fixed in the
rocker arm). The relative position (X-direction) is still reported in Barge Coordinate
System to be consistent with the Phase 1 relative motion. In addition, the rocker arm
rotating angle and rocker arm contacting force in the rocker arm z-direction are also
reported. The rocker arm force in the rocker arm y-direction can be found in the detail
report. Note that the x-direction of the Rocker Arm Coordinate System will be different
from that of the Global in Barge Coordinate System if rocker arm has a non-zero angle.
Only the most important barge and jacket motions, i.e., surge, heave, and pitch are included in
this summary report. The other motion information can be found in the detail report.
3.10. Phase 4 Motion Report
For Phase 4, both the barge and jacket motions are reported in the Global Coordinate
System. Since the jacket has separated from the barge, no relative motion will be reported.
The bottom clearance is calculated based upon the reference joints you define.
Only the most important barge and jacket motions, i.e., surge, heave, and pitch are included in

9. Tiểu ban Năng lượng, Kỹ thuật công trình, Vận tải và Công nghệ Biển 171
this summary report. The other motion information can be found in thedetail report.
3.11. Height to Water Surface and Bottom Clearance of Jacket
The “Height to Water Surface’ is positive if the joints are above the water surface.
The “Deepest Point” is calculated based upon the reference joints you define.
4. Conclusions
There jacket - barge system models can be using Software system, which have currently
in ICOFFSHORE to calculating: StruCAD*3D; StabCAD; NEPTUNE Developed by
Zentech USA. SACS, Structural Analysis Computer System, Program Manual-
Engineering Dynamic, Inc. USA.
5. Reference
1. Bathe. K. J -Finite Element Procedures in Engineering Analysis-1992.
2. Bathe .K.J - Finite Element Procedures - USA-1996.
3. Peter Bettes - Infinite element - London - 1993
4. Softwares: StruCAD*3D; StrabCAD; NepTune developed by Zentech – USA
5. SACS, Structural Analysis Computer System, Program Manual- Engineering Dynamic,
Inc. USA.