www.orcina.

com

An Introduction to OrcaFlex

Training Course Syllabus

&
Software Overview

Orcina Limited
Daltongate
Ulverston
Cumbria
LA12 7AJ
UK

Email: orcina@orcina.com
Tel: +44 (0)1229 584742

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CONTENTS
OrcaFlex Standard Training Course Syllabus ...................................................................... 4
Overview of OrcaFlex ............................................................................................................. 7
Elements of an OrcaFlex System Model .............................................................................. 9
Vessels...................................................................................................................................... 9
Line ........................................................................................................................................... 10
3D Buoys .................................................................................................................................. 12
6D Buoys .................................................................................................................................. 12
Links ......................................................................................................................................... 12
Winches .................................................................................................................................... 13
Shapes ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Constraints .............................................................................................................................. 13
Turbines ................................................................................................................................... 13
Environment ............................................................................................................................ 14
Connections between Objects .............................................................................................. 14
Free Bodies .............................................................................................................................. 15
Variable Data & External Functions ..................................................................................... 15
The Model Browser ................................................................................................................ 16
All Objects Data Form ............................................................................................................ 16
Analysing a System Model ..................................................................................................... 17
Static Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 17
Dynamic Analysis .................................................................................................................... 17
Frequency Domain Analysis .................................................................................................. 17
Time Domain Analysis ............................................................................................................ 17
Results & Workspaces ............................................................................................................ 18
Automation.............................................................................................................................. 20
Batch Processing .................................................................................................................... 20
Binary & Text Data Files ......................................................................................................... 20
OrcaFlex Spreadsheet ............................................................................................................ 20
The DLL .................................................................................................................................... 21
Distributed OrcaFlex .............................................................................................................. 21
Other Features ........................................................................................................................ 22
Fatigue Post-Processing ......................................................................................................... 22
Wave Scatter Conversion ....................................................................................................... 22
Contact ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Elastic Solid & Seabed Contact ............................................................................................. 23
Line Clashing & Contact ......................................................................................................... 23
Pipelay Supports ..................................................................................................................... 23

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Modal Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 24

VIV Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 24
Wake Effects ............................................................................................................................ 24
Line Setup Wizard ................................................................................................................... 24
OrcaFlex Help and Support ................................................................................................... 25
Tutorial and Examples ........................................................................................................... 25
YouTube Channel ................................................................................................................... 25
On-Line Help ........................................................................................................................... 25
Further Support ...................................................................................................................... 25
Useful References ................................................................................................................... 26
Useful Help Pages ................................................................................................................... 27

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OrcaFlex Standard Training Course Syllabus

The course assumes no prior experience with the software and is organised as a series of
lectures and practical sessions typically held over two days. The course is intended to be
‘hands on’ and we encourage attendees to follow the trainer’s actions throughout.

Introduction
• General introduction / background to OrcaFlex.

Catenary Riser (Example 1)

• Adding / editing objects.
• Local origins, default data.
• Making connections (not all objects can connect together).
• Line end connection options.
• Short cut keys and moving around the view.
• Shaded vs. wire frame.
• Data files – difference between .dat and .yml.
• Workspaces.
• Simulation files.
• F1 key!

Line Theory
• Nodes and segments.
• Segments cannot bend, all bending at nodes.
• How compression in segments is treated.
• Including / excluding torsion.

Dynamic Calculation
• Time domain and frequency domain analysis.
• Implicit integration scheme.
• Explicit integration scheme.

End Connections (Example 2)

• End connection stiffness settings: pinned, infinity, finite.
• End fitting angle is.
• Azimuth, declination and gamma.
• Option to automatically calculate line section lengths and end orientations based on
end positions (useful for truss modelling)

More on Lines and Line Types (Example 3)

Line Types
• Homogeneous vs. general categories.
• Geometry and mass, structure, etc. pages on line types form.
• Variable data.
• Line type wizard.

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Contents
• Difference between uniform, free flooding, slug flow, and tabular contents.
Static Analysis (Example 4)
• OrcaFlex solves individual line statics first then whole system statics.
• Statics progress window.
• Step 1 and step 2 line statics stages.
• Effect of changing max iterations, tolerance, min/max damping.
• When to change to mag. std. error & change.

Shape Contact and Line Statics (Example 5)

• Only some objects are permitted to contact each other.
• Introduction to contact options (shapes, line clashing, line contact, supports).
• Elastic solid type shape for contact.
• Linear or non-linear reaction force.
• Friction coefficients.
• Different shape geometries (cylinder, block, plane, curved plate)
• Other types of shape.

Attachments (Example 6)
• Types (clumps, flex joints and bend stiffeners).
• Properties data.
• Clump “align with” option.
• Attachments can only be connected at a node.

Seabed Friction (Example 7)

• Lay azimuth.

Links and Winches (Example 8)

Links
• Massless, dragless etc.
• Differences between tether and spring/damper type.
Winches
• Massless, dragless etc.
• Contrast with line feeding.
• Multiple control points (frictionless)
• Control payout, payout rate or tension.
• Simple and detailed types.

Vessels (Example 9)
• Represent rigid bodies in diffraction regime.
• Diffraction data must be pre-calculated and then imported into OrcaFlex.
• Calculation page options (primary / superimposed motion, included effects).

Importing Diffraction Data (Example 10)

• Assistance for specific packages given in the OrcaFlex help.

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• Diffraction data can be generated by OrcaWave.

• OrcaWave, WAMIT or AQWA output files can be imported directly.
• Generic text file data require some mark-up.

Environment (Example 11)

• Sea page.
• Water density settings.
• Weather directions set relative to global axis system.
Seabed
• Can be flat, profiled, 3D.
• Elastic and non-linear soil models for normal direction.
Current
• Interpolated or power law profile.
• Multiple data sets can be defined but only one active at a time.
Wind
• Constant or time-varying.
Waves
• Multiple wave trains act in combination.
• Regular or irregular waves.
• Build-up period.
• Waves preview.

3D and 6D Buoys Hydrodynamics (Example 12)

• Represent rigid objects in drag/inertia regime (using Morison’s equation).
• Wings allow lift/drag characteristics to be applied as a function of buoy angle.
• 3D buoys.
• 6D lumped buoys.
• 6D spar and towed fish buoys.

Constraints (Example 13)

• Provide a means of controlling individual degrees of freedom.
• Degrees of freedom can be calculated or imposed (time history).
• Applying stiffness and damping.

Automation (Example 14)

• OrcaFlex spreadsheet and API options.
Pre-Processing
• Batch script.
• Text data files.
• File compare.
Post-Processing
• Spreadsheet instructions wizard.
• How to process cases.

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• Duplicate instructions.

Overview of OrcaFlex
What follows is a necessarily brief overview of the capabilities and modelling features in
OrcaFlex. More detail is always available through the context sensitive help files (F1) and
the resources on our website. Our website (www.orcina.com) contains information on
the following:
OrcaFlex:
• Applications (www.orcina.com/orcaflex/applications)
• Features and technical specification (www.orcina.com/orcaflex/specification)
• Example files (www.orcina.com/resources/examples)
• Training videos (www.orcina.com/resources/videos/)
• Validation (www.orcina.com/resources/validation)
• Hardware requirements (www.orcina.com/support/hardwarerequirements)
• Demonstration copy (www.orcina.com/orcaflex/demo)
• Documentation (www.orcina.com/resources/documentation)
• Papers and technical notes (www.orcina.com/resources/papers-and-technical-
notes)
• User Group Meetings (www.orcina.com/resources/ugm-material)
• More information (www.orcina.com/contact)
Orcina:
• Newsletters (www.orcina.com/news/newsletters)
• Announcements and news (www.orcina.com/news)
• Upcoming events (www.orcina.com/support/events)

OrcaFlex performs global static and dynamic analysis of a wide range of offshore
systems, typically including boundary conditions such as vessels, buoys, etc., as well as
finite element modelling of line structures. The program takes as input the mechanical,
structural and other properties of the various component parts of the system. It then
calculates the static equilibrium configuration of the system and its response to dynamic
loading. Outputs include system geometry, forces and moments throughout the system.
The OrcaFlex model is fully three-dimensional, and is capable of dealing with arbitrarily
large changes in system geometry.

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OrcaFlex is used in the offshore and ocean engineering industries for analysis of a wide
range of systems. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Risers Global (Coupled) Analysis & Moorings
• Tensioned marine risers • Spread, turret, SPM
• Steel catenary risers • Oceanographic buoy systems
• Flexible risers and umbilicals • Jetty moorings
• Hybrid riser systems • Buoy systems
• Drilling risers • Renewable energy

Installation Analysis Other Systems

• Pipelay • Decommissioning
• Hook-up • Defence applications
• Lowering (and recovery) analysis • Hose systems

Towed systems • On-bottom stability

• Bundle dynamics • In-situ pipeline analysis
• Seismic arrays
OrcaFlex can handle many aspects of system behaviour including; multi-line systems,
floating lines, line dynamics after release, intermittent contact and contact/clashing
between objects.
Models can be easily built through the Graphical User Interface (GUI), which offers both
wire frame and rendered (shaded) 3D views of the model. Model data is entered through
a series of data forms. Objects can also be dragged into position in the 3D view. The data
on the model data forms and the 3D views are completely consistent, i.e. a change in an
object’s position in one will be automatically shown in the other.
Static analysis is quick and robust, and for most systems a solution is obtained
immediately. For very complex systems, typically involving multiple connections between
objects, special facilities are provided for user intervention to guide the software towards
a stable solution.
For dynamic analysis, the user has a choice of frequency or time domain analysis, either
of which can be easily used for a single model. However, frequency domain, by definition,
assumes a linear system and so not all the features that are available in time domain
analysis are available for frequency domain. Time domain analysis can be carried out
using either an explicit or implicit time integration scheme. The implicit scheme is
applicable for the majority of dynamic analysis, but the explicit scheme is more efficient
for systems with high frequency discrete events (e.g. severe impact or line compression).
Results include animated replay of dynamic simulations plus graphical and numerical
results presentations.
OrcaFlex comes fully equipped with extensive automation facilities. Standard automation
is driven through Excel for ease of use and efficiency. The automation facilities maximise
project QA and traceability where many file variants are required, and allow very efficient
re-runs. More advanced automation is also possible through a dynamic link library (DLL)
programmable interface known as the OrcaFlex API.

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Elements of an OrcaFlex System Model

To analyse a marine system using OrcaFlex, we first build a mathematical model of the
real-world system, using the various modelling facilities provided by OrcaFlex. The model
consists of the marine environment to which the system is subjected, plus a variable
number of objects chosen by the user, placed in the environment and connected
together as required. The objects represent the structures being analysed and the
environment determines the current, wave excitation, etc. to which the objects are
subjected.
The types of objects available in OrcaFlex are listed below. Detailed descriptions of each
type of object are given in the program documentation – see the OrcaFlex help page
Modelling Data and Results | Modelling Introduction.
It should be noted that each object contains a set of default data (for example, an
assumed mass and displacement for buoys). The use of default data permits simple test
models to be constructed quickly but does require the user to ensure that the correct
data has been entered for each object in a ‘real’ model.
Vessels
Vessels are used to model ships, floating platforms, barges, etc. They are rigid bodies
whose motions can be:
• Prescribed by user-specified displacement Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs)
for each of the 6 degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch and yaw)
• Prescribed with a user-specified time-varying forward speed and rate of turn
• Imposed from user defined time history motion or loads
• Calculated for six (or three) degrees of freedom, including wave frequency and/or
low frequency motions. Calculating the vessel motions requires the vessel’s
response to be defined through load RAOs, QTFs (Quadratic Transfer Functions),
stiffness, added mass and damping matrices, current and wind load coefficients
etc. Additional objects called Morison elements can be connected to the vessel to
apply quadratic drag loading.
Vessel hydrodynamic data can be calculated by Orcina’s own diffraction solver,
OrcaWave, or imported from the output of various diffraction programs.
OrcaWave requires that a panel mesh file be supplied by the user, which it uses to
perform a diffraction analysis on the defined geometry. Mesh files can be supplied in a
number of formats including WAMIT .gdf, AQWA .dat and Hydrostar .hst. Any diffraction
data required by OrcaFlex can be calculated in OrcaWave, including load & displacement
RAOs, QTFs, stiffness, added mass and damping matrices and sea state RAOs. Multi-body
analyses are also supported.
The OrcaWave output (which is presented as an .owr file) can be directly imported into
OrcaFlex. More details about OrcaWave can be found in its help documentation, which
can either be accessed from the OrcaFlex installation (see the OrcaFlex folder) or our
website https://www.orcina.com/webhelp/OrcaWave.
Vessel hydrodynamic data can also be automatically imported from the output of the
AQWA and WAMIT diffraction programs, or semi-automatically imported from other
diffraction programs by appropriate marking-up of the output text file. Both single and

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multi-body data output can be handled. For more information, see the OrcaFlex help
section Modelling, Data and Results | Vessels | Vessel Types | Importing Hydrodynamic
Data.
Dealing with vessel data is a particularly difficult and confusing area, but is of great
importance since, for many systems, the motions imposed by a ship or semi-submersible
are the main influence on system behaviour. Often the vessel motions are defined purely
through “displacement” RAO data and it is then vital that these RAOs are correct. To help
highlight any possible errors in the RAOs, each data page has a button labelled “Check
RAOs”, which provides a graphical presentation of the RAO data. The process is fully
explained in the on-line help, for example see the help page Modelling, Data and Results
| Vessels | Vessel Types | How to Check RAOs.

Lines
Lines are typically represented in OrcaFlex by a “lumped mass” finite element model (see
Figure 1). The mass, volume and hydrodynamic properties of the associated length of
line are assigned to a node, and a series of springs and dampers are defined to represent
the axial, bending and torsional stiffnesses and associated damping properties. Nodes
are connected by segments, which have no properties other than to connect nodes
together.
It is also possible to represent the line using a simple analytic catenary model, but this is
generally only useful in very limited applications, e.g. quasi-dynamic mooring analyses.
Line hydrodynamic loads are modelled through Morison’s equation (i.e. drag and fluid
inertia forces).
Lines can change length dynamically during the simulation. Both pay-out and haul-in can
be modelled. Changes to the overall line properties due to the change in length, e.g.
increases or decreases in the line mass, are fully captured.
Typical applications for lines include: risers (TTRs, SCRs, flexibles, umbilicals, etc.),
moorings (chain, wire rope, man-made fibre, etc.), hoses, towed systems, installation
analysis (including crane wire, pipelines, etc.). Line ends may be fixed, free or attached to
other objects such as vessels, buoys or other lines. Ends can be disconnected in the
course of a simulation.
Each line can also have a number of attachments. These allow the user to model point
loads (floats or clump weights), drag chains (for towed bundles), flex joints (for rigid
risers), bend stiffeners and limiters (for protecting umbilicals, cables, flexible risers, etc.).

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Figure 1 : The OrcaFlex Line Model

Line contents can be homogeneous, free flooding, contain user-defined “slugs” (packets
of different density), or can be specified as a function of arc length and/or time using a
tabular method.
Lines can experience wake effects, VIV, non-linear stiffness, hysteretic bending and
material damping.
Lines can also experience contact with the seabed, shapes (see pg. 13 for more details on
shape objects) and other lines. Lateral soil resistance for lines lying on the seabed
surface can be specified through Coulomb friction or user-defined tables of resistance
against displacement. P-y curves can be defined for nominally vertical lines extending
below the seabed.
OrcaFlex line properties are specified through line types. By dividing a line up into
multiple sections, different line type properties can be specified over the line length; for
example, a single line can be used to represent a chain/wire/chain mooring cable. Each
section can also have different segment lengths.
There are three different categories of line type; general, homogeneous pipe and
equivalent line:
• The general category allows each line type property to be set independently (for
example, stiffness and mass are not linked to line geometry). This option is
suitable for complex non-homogeneous structures (flexibles, umbilicals, cables,
wires, chains etc).
• The homogeneous pipe category assumes that the line type is made from a
homogeneous material and allows the mass and stiffness values to be directly

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calculated from the line geometry and material properties. Provision is made for
the inclusion of coatings and linings.
• The equivalent line category allows other individual line types to be combined
into a single equivalent line type (for example, representing a piggy-backed line
or pipeline bundle). It is assumed that the lines can be treated as a symmetric
single entity and cannot move axially or laterally relative to each other.
Special assistance is provided for determining line type properties through the line type
wizard feature. This is a data generation facility for various sorts of lines including chains,
hoses, umbilicals, wires, ropes, lines with floats etc. While this facility may be useful in the
early stages of a project, the data should be replaced with vendor data when available
(for example, for ropes, hoses and umbilicals the data are based on limited information
previously available in the public domain).

3D Buoys
3D buoys are simple single point bodies with just three translational degrees of freedom
(surge, sway and heave). The motions of the buoy are calculated by OrcaFlex. 3D buoys
do not rotate and are intended only for modelling objects small enough for rotations to
be unimportant. They have mass, volume, hydrodynamic and contact properties. The
hydrodynamic loads are calculated through Morison’s equation.

6D Buoys
6D buoys are rigid bodies with six degrees of freedom (three translational and three
rotational). OrcaFlex calculates the motion of each 6D buoy by summing all the forces
acting on it. Three different buoy types (lumped buoy, spar buoy and towed fish) are
available. Lumped buoys represent objects of arbitrary shape while spar buoys and
towed fish are intended to model purely axisymmetric objects.
6D buoys have mass, volume, hydrodynamic loads (including slamming) and contact
properties. 6D buoys can contact shapes (again see pg. 13 below) – but they cannot
contact each other. The hydrodynamic loads are principally calculated through Morison’s
equation. Spar buoys and towed fish can also include discretisation of the buoyancy and
hydrodynamic loads acting on them, providing better modelling of objects in regions of
rapidly varying flow or near the sea surface. Multiple lumped buoys can be connected
rigidly together to achieve the same effect.
6D buoys can have wing attachments. Wings allow the specification of lift, drag and
moment variations with flow incidence angle.
Note: Despite the names, 3D buoys and 6D buoys do not need to be buoyant in the
ordinary sense of the word. The wet weight is simply determined from the input data.

Links
Links are massless springs that can be used as a connection between two other objects
in the model. Two types are available: tethers and spring/dampers. Tethers are simple
linear springs that cannot support compression. Spring/dampers contain a spring and a
damper element acting in parallel (both can have either linear or non-linear properties)
and can support compression.

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Winches
Winches are also massless connections linking two (or more) objects in the model. The
connection is by a winch wire, which is fed from and controlled by a winch drive mounted
on the first object. The winch drive can be operated in either length or tension controlled
mode. Tensions and lengths can either be constant or time-varying through the
simulation.
Winches can be simple (an idealised winch that responds immediately to changes in drive
direction) or detailed (where data for winch drive inertia, damping/drag and deadband
can be specified). The simple winch is adequate for most applications.

Shapes
Shapes can be connected to other objects in the model and are of four types:
• Elastic solid shapes apply a linear reaction force to any buoys or lines which
penetrate them. They are used to represent contact surfaces. Several different
elementary shapes are available and a number of solids may be placed together
to build up more complex geometries. Friction coefficients can be defined for
dynamic shape contact.
Note that elastic solid shapes have no mass or inertia of their own, but when
connected to a free body such as a buoy, the reaction force from the solid is
transferred to the buoy and contributes to its movement.
• Trapped water shapes represent a volume that is completely shielded from the
external environmental loading, for example in a moonpool.
• Drawing shapes are used for purely visual purposes and have no interaction with
other objects in the model.
• Label shapes have no geometric shape and are simply used as carriers for text
labels in the 3D view.

Constraints
Constraints are effectively connection objects, having no properties of their own (e.g. no
mass, drag etc). They offer more flexibility and control over connections than can be
achieved by directly connecting objects together.
There are two types of constraints:
• Calculated DOFs, where individual degrees of freedom can be fixed or freed by
the user. The free degrees of freedom can be assigned stiffness and/or damping,
if required.
• Imposed motion, where the constraint motions are controlled by a pre-defined
time history.

Turbines
Turbines are objects specifically intended to represent the hub and blades of a horizontal
axis wind turbine.
The blades are modelled in a similar way to lines, allowing blade flexibility and permitting
aeroelastic coupling to be modelled. The blades can also be considered as fully rigid. The

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blade aerodynamic loading includes drag, lift and moment contributions and can allow
for rotation effects through a blade element momentum method.
Generator torque and pitch angle controllers can be represented through OrcaFlex
external functions (please see further below for more information on external functions).
Environment
The marine environment model includes:
• Seabed: Represented as an elastic surface, usually a plane (not necessarily
horizontal), but a 2D or 3D surface profile can be modelled if required. The
normal reaction force can be modelled through a simple elastic spring (with
linear or non-linear stiffness) or using a more sophisticated approach (where
non-linear hysteretic resistance, suction and re-penetration effects are included).
Tangential resistance can be modelled through Coulomb friction or (for line
objects only) user-defined resistance vs displacement curves.
• Current: Can have a library of current profiles, each with magnitude and rotation
varying with depth and/or time.
• Waves: Wave models available include a simple linear (sinusoidal) wave, several
non-linear regular waves and a number of wave spectra for modelling random
seas. Random seas can also be specified through a user-defined wave spectrum
or wave components, or through a time history of wave elevation. Multiple wave
trains and directional wave spreading are permitted.
• Wind: Can be constant, represented by a wind spectrum or specified through a
time history file. Typically the wind is the same at all horizontal locations through
the model, although a spatial variation can be defined by importing a TurbSim
(.bts) full field file.
Current and wave water particle velocities are defined from the user-specified current
profile and wave parameters, allowing for a single, nominal depth value in the wave
calculation. OrcaFlex is a global modelling tool and so these water particle velocities are
generally unaffected by the presence of model objects or local variations in the seabed.
However, it is possible to define a zone of disturbed water that is associated with an
OrcaFlex vessel using a feature called sea state RAOs (these data are defined within the
vessel type). The degree of disturbance must be defined by the user either manually or
by direct import from an OrcaWave or WAMIT diffraction output.

Connections between Objects

All of the OrcaFlex object types can be connected to other objects. However, there are
restrictions on the ways in which different object types can be connected together.
In any given connection relationship, the connected object is the “child” whilst the object
it is connected to is the “parent”. Each child object can generally only be connected to
one parent. But a parent object can support multiple children. Limitations arise because
some objects (specifically links, winches and shapes) can only be children and never
parents. However, the remaining objects (vessels, lines, constraints, turbines and both
types of buoy) can be either parents or children (or both!), depending on the definition of
their connection relationships.

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In general, connected objects are rigidly fixed together for all of the child object’s degrees
of freedom. However, constraint objects (and to some extent line ends) offer more
versatile connections.
There is no limit on the number of objects in the model – in reality the only limit is the
memory and other resources available on the computer being used. Similarly, there are
no built-in limits to the number of objects that can be connected (although there are
limitations on the object types that are allowed to be connected). As a result, very
complex systems can be modelled, though of course the more complex the model, the
longer the analysis will take to process.

Free Bodies
Of the objects that can make up an OrcaFlex model, lines, turbines, 3D and 6D buoys are
always free bodies. This means that their motions are calculated by OrcaFlex according
to the forces acting on them.
Depending on how you model them, vessels are either free bodies (calculated motion) or
have prescribed motions (e.g. through displacement RAOs, time history etc.). Constraints
can define fixed / free degrees of freedom or imposed motions (through a time history)
but have no inertia of their own and therefore cannot be free bodies. They would
normally be used in conjunction with other free bodies.
Links, winches and elastic solid shapes all define forces, but also have no inertia of their
own.

Variable Data & External Functions

Data items often take a single, constant value during a simulation (e.g. a constant drag
coefficient). However, for some common relationships the variable data structure allows
a look-up table to be used (e.g. drag coefficient as a function of Reynolds Number). Many
data items allow variable data to be applied – for a full list, see the variable data form in
the OrcaFlex model browser.
External functions are essentially a special type of variable data. They are extremely
powerful, allowing the user to change data as a function of the behaviour of other
object(s) in the dynamic simulation. The algorithm for the external function is specified
and written by the OrcaFlex user. The function will typically take the latest output
result(s) from one or more model objects and use this to determine the instantaneous
value of a specific data item, which is then fed back into the OrcaFlex simulation. Typical
examples are:
• Winch payout as a function of an object’s position (active heave compensation)
• Externally calculated applied loads on vessel, line and 6D buoy objects
• Wing orientation as a function of target depth, or as a function of instantaneous
hydrostatic pressure
• Wind turbine generator torque and blade pitch angle controllers
We supply various general external function examples on our website
(www.orcina.com/resources in the section ‘External Function examples’), coded in both
C++ and Python. In addition, we have specific examples for wind turbine controllers (see
the link on the OrcaFlex help page Modelling, data and results | Turbines | Turbine data
| Blades), which are coded in Python.

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The Model Browser

The model browser allows the user a large degree of control over the placement and
view of objects in the model. Objects can be:
• Duplicated (copied and pasted)
• Grouped
• Moved and rotated
• Locked and located
• Hidden and shown
• Imported from other OrcaFlex models

All Objects Data Form

The all objects data form is a convenient summary of the main property data for all
objects in the model. This allows changes to be easily made to all objects of a given type
simultaneously (for example, all lines can be set to have the same contents density on
one data form).
The all objects data form also summarises end connection data for lines, links and
winches and (when in the reset state) allows these end connections to be specified in
polar (rather than Cartesian) coordinate form.

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Analysing a System Model

Both static and dynamic analyses include the forces and moments acting on each free
body and line node. The forces and moments considered include, but are not limited to:
• weight
• buoyancy
• hydrodynamic loads
• tension and shear
• bending and torque
• contact forces
• forces applied by links and winches
• user specified applied loads
Typically, the system configuration will be analysed in isolation considering a particular
set of conditions, e.g. environmental loading. However, it is also possible to restart a new
simulation from the final configuration in a previous model.

Static Analysis
There are generally two objectives for a static analysis:
• To determine the equilibrium configuration of the system under weight,
buoyancy and hydrodynamic drag loading
• To provide a starting configuration for dynamic simulation that minimises
transients
In most cases, the static equilibrium configuration is the best starting point for a dynamic
simulation and the two objectives become one.

Dynamic Analysis
Frequency Domain Analysis
The system static configuration is used to determine linear transfer functions relating the
system response, system loads and applied environment. These transfer functions are
then used to compute the system’s dynamic response.
However, subsea systems are strongly affected by drag loading, which is non-linear, and
so it is necessary to capture this non-linearity in the frequency domain solution. This is
done by carrying out the dynamic analysis iteratively; the linear drag matrix is updated at
each iteration based on the calculated system dynamic response.
Time Domain Analysis
The equation of motion is formed for each line node and free body:

𝑀(𝑥, 𝑥̈ ) + 𝐶(𝑥, 𝑥̇ ) + 𝐾(𝑥) = 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑥̇ , 𝑡)

where 𝑀(𝑥, 𝑥̈ ) is the system inertia load (including added mass terms), 𝐶(𝑥, 𝑥̇ ) is the
system damping load, 𝐾(𝑥)is the system stiffness load, 𝑥 is the system position vector, t
the simulation time and 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑥̇ , 𝑡) the external load.

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In time domain, the equation of motion is solved at each time step. Since the system
geometry is re-computed at every time step, the simulation takes full account of
geometric and property non-linearities, including the spatial variation of both wave loads
and contact loads.
Two integration schemes are available for solving the equation of motion; implicit and
explicit:
• The implicit integration scheme is the default option. Implicit schemes generally
remain stable with much longer time steps than are possible with explicit,
potentially offering a significant run time advantage over the explicit method.
Longer time steps are possible because the implicit scheme iterates for dynamic
equilibrium at each time step.
However, stability does not guarantee accuracy and care must always be taken
(especially with high frequency responses) to assess the level of accuracy
achieved as a function of time step.
With the implicit scheme the user can select either a constant time step or a
variable time step approach. The variable time step algorithm automatically
reduces the time step when the iteration count is high and increases it when the
iteration count is low, optimising run-time. However, it can very occasionally add
high frequency energy into the system when the time step is changed (this is a
well-known feature of variable time step algorithms and is not specific to
OrcaFlex). Consequently, for most applications, the constant time step option is
to be preferred.
• The time step required for stable explicit integration is very short – typically
around 0.001s. OrcaFlex gives guidance on an appropriate time step.
Hydrodynamic forces typically change little over such a short time interval, and
are time-consuming to compute. Therefore, to save computing time
hydrodynamic loads are updated at a longer “outer” time step. Both time steps
are user-defined and may be set equal for cases where the hydrodynamic load
varies more rapidly.
Note that the method of solution does not involve the construction and inversion
of a stiffness matrix for any part of the system. An important consequence is that
the program has no difficulty in dealing with the transition between tension and
compression in lines, e.g. at seabed touchdown.

Results & Workspaces

OrcaFlex reports a wide number of results for all of the model objects, mostly concerning
object loading and position / orientation. OrcaFlex lines have the most extensive results
reporting, including various API and DNV code checks.
OrcaFlex simulation files store the minimum amount of information required to permit
any result to be regenerated at a later date. This gives the advantage that the user does
not need to specify beforehand what results are required. In addition, this also means
that simulation file sizes are minimised. The user can also set the result logging interval
specifically, as well as the logging start time, giving further control over the simulation file
size.

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Results can be accessed through the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or using the
extensive OrcaFlex automation features.
Results accessed through the GUI are opened in a series of result windows. The windows
can show system views (either wire frame and/or shaded), results plots and/or tables. A
particular set of results windows can be saved as a workspace (.wrk) file. The workspace
file can then be used to automatically open up the same set of results windows in
another simulation file. Workspaces are saved and opened through the Workspace menu
in OrcaFlex.

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Automation
The OrcaFlex Graphical User Interface (GUI) is a common method of using OrcaFlex.
However, when significant numbers of load cases and/or parametric studies need to be
performed, using the GUI can be more time consuming and error prone. To this end
OrcaFlex offers a huge capability for pre- and post-processing.

Batch Processing
The batch processing form in OrcaFlex provides a facility to batch run multiple OrcaFlex
jobs on a single machine. The batch processing facility takes advantage of hardware with
multiple cores/processors allowing multiple files to be processed simultaneously.
Simulations, results spreadsheets and fatigue files can be processed. The batch
processing form will process different file types in a particular order (pre-processing
batch scripts, then data/simulation files, then fatigue files and finally results
spreadsheets) to ensure the correct flow through the analysis.

Binary & Text Data Files

OrcaFlex permits two types of data file; binary and text. Binary data files can only be
edited within OrcaFlex itself, however text data files can be edited in any text editor.
Each binary data file contains a full description of a complete OrcaFlex model. However,
text data files can contain partial data sets, references to other data files (binary or text)
or full model descriptions. This additional flexibility means that text data files can be
more efficient than binary files when a large number of data variations are to be
analysed.

OrcaFlex Spreadsheet
The spreadsheet contains two separate worksheets; one for pre-processing and one for
post-processing.
The pre-processing sheet provides assistance with the generation of multiple load case
variants of a specific model file. The variants can be defined through a batch script, which
is a list of commands placed within a text file. The spreadsheet assists with the creation
of this text file. The commands are then executed directly from the spreadsheet, or
within the batch processing form in OrcaFlex. Alternatively, the pre-processing sheet can
automatically generate a set of text data files, by creating variants of a “template” text file
created by the user.
The post-processing spreadsheet allows results from multiple simulation files to be
gathered together in a single workbook for further post-processing and/or plotting. The
instructions wizard functionality provides an easy way to populate the instructions for
the post-processing sheet.
Most basic automation tasks can be easily carried out using the OrcaFlex spreadsheet.
Typically the process might be:
1. Use the GUI to set up a base case OrcaFlex data file. Spend time doing QA on the
entered data.
2. Use the OrcaFlex ‘Pre-processing’ sheet to call up the base case data file and
generate variants of this, which are saved as OrcaFlex data files.
3. Use the OrcaFlex batch processing capability to process all the above.

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4. Return to the OrcaFlex spreadsheet, and use the ‘Post-processing’ sheet to

extract the results of interest from the simulation files. Generation of the post-
processing commands is greatly simplified by the instructions wizard facility.
We strongly recommend that a certain number of the resulting OrcaFlex simulation files
are individually inspected. This is because there is no guarantee that the original values
of time step, segmentation etc. used in the base case file are appropriate for the system
responses in each resulting simulation.

The DLL
The OrcaFlex spreadsheet is suitable for almost all conventional automation tasks,
however, more advanced automation can be achieved through the OrcaFlex
programming interface. This is a Windows dynamic link library (DLL) called OrcFxAPI.
The OrcFxAPI DLL can be thought of as a library of software function calls (much like a
series of software subroutines). Each of these calls triggers a piece of OrcaFlex
functionality – the list is extensive, but in brief, functions exist to:
• Create a model and load OrcaFlex data or simulation files
• Create objects and set data for a model
• Run static and dynamic calculations
• Extract results and 3D views
The full list can be found in the OrcaFlex API help documentation, which can either be
accessed from the OrcaFlex installation (see the OrcFxAPI folder) or our website:
(https://www.orcina.com/resources/documentation).
Instructions on linking to the DLL are available for Python, MATLAB, C/C++ and Delphi.
We have an introductory guide for the Python API available on our website, which can be
accessed by downloading the AnIntroductionToThePythonInterfaceToOrcaFlex.zip file from
here: https://www.orcina.com/resources/documentation/. This download includes the
introductory document and accompanying source code.

Distributed OrcaFlex
The distributed OrcaFlex suite of programs enables a collection of networked, OrcaFlex
licensed PCs (clients) to batch run OrcaFlex simulation jobs, transparently, using spare
processor time.
Each client can be enabled (to accept jobs) or disabled (to refuse jobs) at any time. Any
client can abort a running job - the server will then reallocate it to a new client and restart
it from the latest stored state. Clients run jobs at low operating system priority. This
means the job runs in the background, so it does not interfere with other tasks on that
machine. If the client is otherwise idle (e.g. at night) then the job will run at maximum
speed. But if the PC is being used, the user will not notice the background distributed
OrcaFlex runs, since the user work takes priority. Therefore, there is normally no need to
disable clients.

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Other Features
Fatigue Post-Processing
Fully integral to OrcaFlex is a comprehensive fatigue post-processing capability. This
allows the following fatigue analysis methods to be employed:
• Regular wave analysis
• Rainflow cycle-counting (e.g. based on irregular wave analysis)
• Spectral fatigue (e.g. based on frequency domain analysis)
Before using the fatigue module, the necessary simulations must be performed in
OrcaFlex. The fatigue data, and calculation results, are saved to a single file with a .ftg
extension.
Damage is generally calculated from S-N curves but, for mooring fatigue analyses, T-N
curves can be defined. A choice of the Goodman, Soderberg, Gerber and Smith-Watson-
Topper mean stress correction factors are available for S-N curves.
Stress calculations can be based on homogeneous pipe assumptions or by defining
linear factors relating the stress to global tension and curvature. The latter approach is
appropriate for determining stresses in different layers/components in a complicated
cross-section such as an umbilical.
It is also possible to collate histograms from multiple simulation files for further post-
processing outside of OrcaFlex. In addition, the fatigue post-processing module can be
used to collate and display Shear7 fatigue results, if the relevant Shear7 .plt files are
available.

Wave Scatter Conversion

Wave data for fatigue load cases is usually presented as a ‘storm scatter’ table (the
occurrence distribution of particular sea-states) for rainflow analysis, but can also be
presented as ‘individual wave scatter’ (the number of individual wave height and period
events) for regular wave analysis.
The OrcaFlex wave scatter conversion tool allows storm scatter data to be converted into
individual wave scatter data. This conversion is done using the Longuet-Higgins formula.
The wave scatter conversion tool also contains facilities for automatically generating
batch script and fatigue data for the individual wave scatter load cases.

Contact
Not all objects in OrcaFlex can contact each other – in fact most objects do not contact
anything. In many cases, a specific object (or objects) may need to be included in the
model to facilitate contact.
The following table summarises the objects that do allow contact:

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Object Can Contact

3D & 6D buoys Elastic solids, seabed

Lines Elastic solids, seabed, other lines

(via clashing or contact models),
supports

Table 1 : Contact Objects

For full details, please see our Modelling Contact in OrcaFlex document
(www.orcina.com/resources/papers-and-technical-notes/Modelling-Contact.pdf).

Elastic Solid & Seabed Contact

Elastic solids and the seabed are intended to represent contact between a surface and
the object of interest.
Further details can be found on pg. 13 (see elastic solid shapes comments) and pg. 14
(seabed comments) of this document.

Line Clashing & Contact

Fully integral within OrcaFlex standard results is the ability to determine the clearances
between any line objects present in the model.
Two types of line to line interaction are additionally available; line clashing and line
contact.
Line clashing is an older algorithm that is primarily intended to model cases where one
line strikes the outer surface of another. Frictional effects cannot be included in line
clashing. However, a more detailed clash report can be obtained, which includes the
information on the duration, clash force, energy and impulse of each clash event. Clash
checking is computationally expensive and should only be enabled on line sections
where contact is expected.
Line contact is a more general contact method that allows for contact between the inner
and/or outer surfaces of lines. It is generally intended to model contact between lines
that remain broadly coaxial, for example, scenarios such as pipe-in-pipe, piggy-backed
pipe and J-tube pull-ins. When one line penetrates the other a reaction force is produced,
in a similar way to the contact between lines and elastic solid shapes. This contact force
is reported in the OrcaFlex results. As is the case for contact between lines and shapes,
friction coefficients can also be enabled for dynamic line contact.

Pipelay Supports
Lines can also contact objects called supports, which can be attached to either vessels or
6D buoys. Supports are intended to represent roller-like objects and are most often used
to create models of pipelay systems, e.g. S- or J-lay.
Various standard support geometries are offered, including flat, V shaped and U shaped,
as well as a user specified option. Multiple supports can be attached to a single vessel or
buoy with their positions either defined explicitly or placed along a predefined track.

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Each support type can have its own value of contact stiffness. In addition, dynamic
friction coefficients can be specified for the contact between lines and supports.

Modal Analysis
Following a static analysis, OrcaFlex can calculate the undamped mode shapes and
periods for the whole system or for individual lines. The loads associated with each mode
shape can also be reported.

VIV Analysis
OrcaFlex can support both frequency and time domain VIV analysis.
Frequency domain VIV is offered through interfaces to the Shear7 and VIVA packages.
Note that these are third-party software packages and must be purchased separately
from OrcaFlex. In both cases, the frequency domain package can be used directly from
within the OrcaFlex environment.
Time domain VIV analysis is offered through two wake oscillator models (Milan wake
oscillator and Iwan and Blevins wake oscillator) and two vortex tracking models.
The wake oscillator models apply oscillating forces to the line in accordance with the
expected vortex shedding frequency. The forces are applied in the transverse (normal to
both flow and line axis) direction only.
The vortex tracking models apply a potential flow model of the detailed flow field around
the line including vortex shedding, and determine the oscillatory forces by integration of
the pressure field around the circumference. As a consequence they are capable of
predicting in-line as well as transverse VIV.

Wake Effects
As OrcaFlex does not modify the local flow around objects, shielding and boundary
effects are not automatically modelled.
However, for pairs of OrcaFlex lines, a wake model facility is available. The facility defines
a wake zone based on the steady flow speed experienced by the upstream line. The
location of the downstream line within this wake zone is used to modify its drag loading.
Wake models by Huse and Blevins are available, as well as a user specified option. The
Blevins and user specified options allow for both drag and lift effects.

Line Setup Wizard

The line setup wizard allows the configuration of an individual line to be modified to
produce a particular end load, layback distance or value of tension / declination at a
particular arc length location. This is particularly useful for achieving a specified line pre-
tension in mooring line applications.
The line setup wizard is typically used for configurations where the line is anchored to
the seabed at its bottom end. The line configuration is then modified either by adjusting
the anchored end position (keeping the line length the same) or adjusting the line length
(keeping the anchored position the same).

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OrcaFlex Help and Support

There are a number OrcaFlex help and guidance sources available to the user.

Tutorial and Examples

The OrcaFlex tutorial can be found in the OrcaFlex Help menu and can be revisited at any
time.
There is also a comprehensive set of OrcaFlex examples available covering a variety of
applications. Each example generally includes an OrcaFlex data file, a description
document and workspace files showing results of interest. These can be downloaded
directly from Orcina’s website (www.orcina.com/resources/examples).

On-Line Help
OrcaFlex contains a comprehensive on-line help facility, which covers all aspects of the
software. There are sections covering data and results, background theory, automation
and the user interface.
The search facility can be used to find help sections on a particular topic. In addition
context-sensitive help is always available. This can be accessed by simply selecting the
data item (or result) of interest on the relevant data form in OrcaFlex and pressing the
‘F1’ key.
The full help file can also be downloaded from Orcina’s website for off-line access
(www.orcina.com/resources/documentation).

Technical Notes and Papers

We have a number of technical notes and papers available on our website
(www.orcina.com/resources/papers-and-technical-notes). These cover a range of topics,
including specific modelling issues and techniques, as well as more theoretical
descriptions of particular OrcaFlex features.

YouTube Channel
Our YouTube channel (Orcina Ltd.) contains a number of short tutorial videos offering
OrcaFlex hints and tips as well as videos reviewing the new features in each of the most
recent releases.
In addition, we have an expanding series of videos covering various aspects of the
introductory training course that may be useful as a refresher.

Further Support
Further help and support can be obtained from the Orcina team as part of the
Maintenance, Upgrade and Support (MUS) scheme.
Support can be obtained either by calling (+44 (0)1229 584742) or emailing
(orcina@orcina.com). If you have a specific modelling question or analysis issue then
emailing your OrcaFlex model (or a sketch of what you are trying to do) will help us to
give you the most complete advice.

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Useful References
1. Barltrop, NDP (ed): Floating structures: a guide for design and analysis, CMPT 1998
2. Barltrop, NDP + Adams, AJ: Dynamics of fixed marine structures (3rd Ed),
Butterworth-Heinemann, 1991
3. Faltinsen, OM: Sea Loads on Ships and Offshore Structures, Cambridge UP, 1990
4. Rawson, KJ + Tupper, EC: Basic Ship Theory (Vol 2), Longman, 1984
5. Tucker, MJ: Waves in Ocean Engineering, Ellis Horwood, 1991
6. Carter, D J T: Prediction of Waveheights and Period for a Constant Wind Velocity
using the JONSWAP Results, Ocean Engineering, Vol 9, No1, pp17-33, 1982
7. Puech, A: The Use of Anchors in Offshore Petroleum Operations, Éditions Technip,
Paris 1984
8. Taylor, R + Valent, P: Design Guide for Drag Embedment Anchors, Naval Civil
Engineering Laboratory (USA), TN No N-1688, 1984
9. Hoerner, SF: Fluid Dynamic Drag, published by Hoerner Fluid Dynamics, PO Box 342,
Brick Town, NJ08723, USA
10. ESDU: Wind Engineering data items. For drag of circular cylinders, the most useful
are Data Items 80025 (2D flow) and 81017 (3D effects). Published by ESDU
International, London.
11. Sarpkaya, T + Isaacson, M: Mechanics of Wave Forces on Offshore Structures, van
Nostrand Reinhold, 1981
12. DNV: DNV-RP-C205 Environmental Conditions and Environmental Loads, (previously
Classification Notes 30.5)
13. Morison, J R et al: The force exerted by surface waves on piles. Petrol Trans AIME Vol
189, 1950
14. Longuet-Higgins, MS: On the Joint Distribution of Wave Periods and Amplitudes in a
Random Wave Field, Proceedings Royal Society London, Series A, Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, Vol 389, pp241-258, 1983
15. Comstock, JP: Principles of Naval Architecture, SNAME, New York, 1967. (A later
edition was published in the 1990’s)

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Useful Help Pages

Automation
Automation | Batch Processing | Examples of setting data
Automation | Text Data Files | Examples of setting data
Automation | Batch processing | Automating Script Generation
Automation | Text data files | Automating Generation
Automation | Post-processing | Instructions Wizard
Environment
Modelling, Data and Results | Environment | Modelling Design Waves
Theory | Environment Theory | Morison's Equation
Line Attachments
Modelling, Data and Results | Lines | Modelling Bend Restrictors
User Interface
User Interface | Introduction | Mouse and Keyboard Actions
Vessels
Modelling, Data and Results | Vessels | Vessel Modelling Overview
Modelling, Data and Results | Vessels | Modelling Vessel Slow Drift

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