Flexcom
Encyclopedia
Flexcom is a finite element
package used in the offshore oil and gas industry
. An educational version is also available for academic institutions.
in the early 1980s. The first version of the software was released in 1983, and a continuous update program has been maintained ever since. The latest version on general release is Flexcom 8.1, dispatched in November 2011.
modelling options are provided, and hydrodynamic loading is based on Morison’s Equation
. Although originally a time domain
analysis tool, more recent versions of Flexcom also incorporate frequency domain
analysis capabilities. It is also capable of performing modal analysis
and estimating damage caused by fatigue
.
, pipelines etc.), a numerical solution scheme is required which caters for (i) bending stiffnesses which are much lower than both axial stiffness and torsional stiffness values, and (ii) arbitrarily large and nonlinear displacements and rotations in three dimensions. To accommodate the low or zero bending stiffness problem, very early versions of Flexcom were based on a 2D hybrid beam-column element . In this approach the axial force appeared as an explicit nodal solution variable, and was interpolated independently of the axial strain. The stress-strain compatibility relationship was applied outside of the virtual work
statement by means of a Lagrangian constraint. This proved an accurate approach, and was subsequently extended to three dimensions . Further developments resulted in the addition of an extra Lagrangian constraint on the torque degree of freedom, in order to make the scheme more robust and accurate when this variable plays a significant role in the solution . This leads to a fourteen degree of freedom hybrid finite element with two end nodes, where the axial force and torque are added to the usual form of a three-dimensional beam element.
Flexcom is a finite element
package used in the offshore oil and gas industry
. An educational version is also available for academic institutions.
in the early 1980s. The first version of the software was released in 1983, and a continuous update program has been maintained ever since. The latest version on general release is Flexcom 8.1, dispatched in November 2011.
modelling options are provided, and hydrodynamic loading is based on Morison’s Equation
. Although originally a time domain
analysis tool, more recent versions of Flexcom also incorporate frequency domain
analysis capabilities. It is also capable of performing modal analysis
and estimating damage caused by fatigue
.
, pipelines etc.), a numerical solution scheme is required which caters for (i) bending stiffnesses which are much lower than both axial stiffness and torsional stiffness values, and (ii) arbitrarily large and nonlinear displacements and rotations in three dimensions. To accommodate the low or zero bending stiffness problem, very early versions of Flexcom were based on a 2D hybrid beam-column element . In this approach the axial force appeared as an explicit nodal solution variable, and was interpolated independently of the axial strain. The stress-strain compatibility relationship was applied outside of the virtual work
statement by means of a Lagrangian constraint. This proved an accurate approach, and was subsequently extended to three dimensions . Further developments resulted in the addition of an extra Lagrangian constraint on the torque degree of freedom, in order to make the scheme more robust and accurate when this variable plays a significant role in the solution . This leads to a fourteen degree of freedom hybrid finite element with two end nodes, where the axial force and torque are added to the usual form of a three-dimensional beam element.
Flexcom is a finite element
package used in the offshore oil and gas industry
. An educational version is also available for academic institutions.
in the early 1980s. The first version of the software was released in 1983, and a continuous update program has been maintained ever since. The latest version on general release is Flexcom 8.1, dispatched in November 2011.
modelling options are provided, and hydrodynamic loading is based on Morison’s Equation
. Although originally a time domain
analysis tool, more recent versions of Flexcom also incorporate frequency domain
analysis capabilities. It is also capable of performing modal analysis
and estimating damage caused by fatigue
.
, pipelines etc.), a numerical solution scheme is required which caters for (i) bending stiffnesses which are much lower than both axial stiffness and torsional stiffness values, and (ii) arbitrarily large and nonlinear displacements and rotations in three dimensions. To accommodate the low or zero bending stiffness problem, very early versions of Flexcom were based on a 2D hybrid beam-column element . In this approach the axial force appeared as an explicit nodal solution variable, and was interpolated independently of the axial strain. The stress-strain compatibility relationship was applied outside of the virtual work
statement by means of a Lagrangian constraint. This proved an accurate approach, and was subsequently extended to three dimensions . Further developments resulted in the addition of an extra Lagrangian constraint on the torque degree of freedom, in order to make the scheme more robust and accurate when this variable plays a significant role in the solution . This leads to a fourteen degree of freedom hybrid finite element with two end nodes, where the axial force and torque are added to the usual form of a three-dimensional beam element.
Finite element method
The finite element method is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations as well as integral equations...
package used in the offshore oil and gas industry
Offshore construction
Offshore construction is the installation of structures and facilities in a marine environment, usually for the production and transmission of electricity, oil, gas and other resources....
. An educational version is also available for academic institutions.
History
The name Flexcom derives from its origins as a computational software initially geared towards the analysis of flexible risers, befitting the emerging riser technology of the North SeaNorth Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
in the early 1980s. The first version of the software was released in 1983, and a continuous update program has been maintained ever since. The latest version on general release is Flexcom 8.1, dispatched in November 2011.
Applications
The program uses a specialised finite element formulation, incorporating a hybrid beam-column element with fully coupled axial, bending and torque forces, well suited to the modelling of slender offshore structures such as risers and mooring lines. A range of seastateSea state
In oceanography, a sea state is the general condition of the free surface on a large body of water—with respect to wind waves and swell—at a certain location and moment. A sea state is characterized by statistics, including the wave height, period, and power spectrum. The sea state varies with...
modelling options are provided, and hydrodynamic loading is based on Morison’s Equation
Morison equation
In fluid dynamics the Morison equation is a semi-empirical equation for the inline force on a body in oscillatory flow. It is sometimes called the MOJS equation after all four authors—Morison, O'Brien, Johnson and Schaaf—of the 1950 paper in which the equation was introduced...
. Although originally a time domain
Time domain
Time domain is a term used to describe the analysis of mathematical functions, physical signals or time series of economic or environmental data, with respect to time. In the time domain, the signal or function's value is known for all real numbers, for the case of continuous time, or at various...
analysis tool, more recent versions of Flexcom also incorporate frequency domain
Frequency domain
In electronics, control systems engineering, and statistics, frequency domain is a term used to describe the domain for analysis of mathematical functions or signals with respect to frequency, rather than time....
analysis capabilities. It is also capable of performing modal analysis
Modal analysis using FEM
The goal of modal analysis in structural mechanics is to determine the natural mode shapes and frequencies of an object or structure during free vibration. It is common to use the finite element method to perform this analysis because, like other calculations using the FEM, the object being...
and estimating damage caused by fatigue
Fatigue (material)
'In materials science, fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic loading. The nominal maximum stress values are less than the ultimate tensile stress limit, and may be below the yield stress limit of the material.Fatigue occurs...
.
Hybrid Beam Element
In order for the software to be capable of analysing flexible structures (such as flexible risers, mooring lines etc.), in addition to more rigid structures (such as steel catenary risersSteel catenary riser
A Steel catenary riser is a common method of attaching an offshore pipeline to a deepwater floating oil production platform. The pipeline is extended into a flexible pipeline up to a catenary on the production platform....
, pipelines etc.), a numerical solution scheme is required which caters for (i) bending stiffnesses which are much lower than both axial stiffness and torsional stiffness values, and (ii) arbitrarily large and nonlinear displacements and rotations in three dimensions. To accommodate the low or zero bending stiffness problem, very early versions of Flexcom were based on a 2D hybrid beam-column element . In this approach the axial force appeared as an explicit nodal solution variable, and was interpolated independently of the axial strain. The stress-strain compatibility relationship was applied outside of the virtual work
Virtual work
Virtual work arises in the application of the principle of least action to the study of forces and movement of a mechanical system. Historically, virtual work and the associated calculus of variations were formulated to analyze systems of rigid bodies, but they have also been developed for the...
statement by means of a Lagrangian constraint. This proved an accurate approach, and was subsequently extended to three dimensions . Further developments resulted in the addition of an extra Lagrangian constraint on the torque degree of freedom, in order to make the scheme more robust and accurate when this variable plays a significant role in the solution . This leads to a fourteen degree of freedom hybrid finite element with two end nodes, where the axial force and torque are added to the usual form of a three-dimensional beam element.
External links
Flexcom is a finite element
Finite element method
The finite element method is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations as well as integral equations...
package used in the offshore oil and gas industry
Offshore construction
Offshore construction is the installation of structures and facilities in a marine environment, usually for the production and transmission of electricity, oil, gas and other resources....
. An educational version is also available for academic institutions.
History
The name Flexcom derives from its origins as a computational software initially geared towards the analysis of flexible risers, befitting the emerging riser technology of the North SeaNorth Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
in the early 1980s. The first version of the software was released in 1983, and a continuous update program has been maintained ever since. The latest version on general release is Flexcom 8.1, dispatched in November 2011.
Applications
The program uses a specialised finite element formulation, incorporating a hybrid beam-column element with fully coupled axial, bending and torque forces, well suited to the modelling of slender offshore structures such as risers and mooring lines. A range of seastateSea state
In oceanography, a sea state is the general condition of the free surface on a large body of water—with respect to wind waves and swell—at a certain location and moment. A sea state is characterized by statistics, including the wave height, period, and power spectrum. The sea state varies with...
modelling options are provided, and hydrodynamic loading is based on Morison’s Equation
Morison equation
In fluid dynamics the Morison equation is a semi-empirical equation for the inline force on a body in oscillatory flow. It is sometimes called the MOJS equation after all four authors—Morison, O'Brien, Johnson and Schaaf—of the 1950 paper in which the equation was introduced...
. Although originally a time domain
Time domain
Time domain is a term used to describe the analysis of mathematical functions, physical signals or time series of economic or environmental data, with respect to time. In the time domain, the signal or function's value is known for all real numbers, for the case of continuous time, or at various...
analysis tool, more recent versions of Flexcom also incorporate frequency domain
Frequency domain
In electronics, control systems engineering, and statistics, frequency domain is a term used to describe the domain for analysis of mathematical functions or signals with respect to frequency, rather than time....
analysis capabilities. It is also capable of performing modal analysis
Modal analysis using FEM
The goal of modal analysis in structural mechanics is to determine the natural mode shapes and frequencies of an object or structure during free vibration. It is common to use the finite element method to perform this analysis because, like other calculations using the FEM, the object being...
and estimating damage caused by fatigue
Fatigue (material)
'In materials science, fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic loading. The nominal maximum stress values are less than the ultimate tensile stress limit, and may be below the yield stress limit of the material.Fatigue occurs...
.
Hybrid Beam Element
In order for the software to be capable of analysing flexible structures (such as flexible risers, mooring lines etc.), in addition to more rigid structures (such as steel catenary risersSteel catenary riser
A Steel catenary riser is a common method of attaching an offshore pipeline to a deepwater floating oil production platform. The pipeline is extended into a flexible pipeline up to a catenary on the production platform....
, pipelines etc.), a numerical solution scheme is required which caters for (i) bending stiffnesses which are much lower than both axial stiffness and torsional stiffness values, and (ii) arbitrarily large and nonlinear displacements and rotations in three dimensions. To accommodate the low or zero bending stiffness problem, very early versions of Flexcom were based on a 2D hybrid beam-column element . In this approach the axial force appeared as an explicit nodal solution variable, and was interpolated independently of the axial strain. The stress-strain compatibility relationship was applied outside of the virtual work
Virtual work
Virtual work arises in the application of the principle of least action to the study of forces and movement of a mechanical system. Historically, virtual work and the associated calculus of variations were formulated to analyze systems of rigid bodies, but they have also been developed for the...
statement by means of a Lagrangian constraint. This proved an accurate approach, and was subsequently extended to three dimensions . Further developments resulted in the addition of an extra Lagrangian constraint on the torque degree of freedom, in order to make the scheme more robust and accurate when this variable plays a significant role in the solution . This leads to a fourteen degree of freedom hybrid finite element with two end nodes, where the axial force and torque are added to the usual form of a three-dimensional beam element.
External links
Flexcom is a finite element
Finite element method
The finite element method is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations as well as integral equations...
package used in the offshore oil and gas industry
Offshore construction
Offshore construction is the installation of structures and facilities in a marine environment, usually for the production and transmission of electricity, oil, gas and other resources....
. An educational version is also available for academic institutions.
History
The name Flexcom derives from its origins as a computational software initially geared towards the analysis of flexible risers, befitting the emerging riser technology of the North SeaNorth Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
in the early 1980s. The first version of the software was released in 1983, and a continuous update program has been maintained ever since. The latest version on general release is Flexcom 8.1, dispatched in November 2011.
Applications
The program uses a specialised finite element formulation, incorporating a hybrid beam-column element with fully coupled axial, bending and torque forces, well suited to the modelling of slender offshore structures such as risers and mooring lines. A range of seastateSea state
In oceanography, a sea state is the general condition of the free surface on a large body of water—with respect to wind waves and swell—at a certain location and moment. A sea state is characterized by statistics, including the wave height, period, and power spectrum. The sea state varies with...
modelling options are provided, and hydrodynamic loading is based on Morison’s Equation
Morison equation
In fluid dynamics the Morison equation is a semi-empirical equation for the inline force on a body in oscillatory flow. It is sometimes called the MOJS equation after all four authors—Morison, O'Brien, Johnson and Schaaf—of the 1950 paper in which the equation was introduced...
. Although originally a time domain
Time domain
Time domain is a term used to describe the analysis of mathematical functions, physical signals or time series of economic or environmental data, with respect to time. In the time domain, the signal or function's value is known for all real numbers, for the case of continuous time, or at various...
analysis tool, more recent versions of Flexcom also incorporate frequency domain
Frequency domain
In electronics, control systems engineering, and statistics, frequency domain is a term used to describe the domain for analysis of mathematical functions or signals with respect to frequency, rather than time....
analysis capabilities. It is also capable of performing modal analysis
Modal analysis using FEM
The goal of modal analysis in structural mechanics is to determine the natural mode shapes and frequencies of an object or structure during free vibration. It is common to use the finite element method to perform this analysis because, like other calculations using the FEM, the object being...
and estimating damage caused by fatigue
Fatigue (material)
'In materials science, fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic loading. The nominal maximum stress values are less than the ultimate tensile stress limit, and may be below the yield stress limit of the material.Fatigue occurs...
.
Hybrid Beam Element
In order for the software to be capable of analysing flexible structures (such as flexible risers, mooring lines etc.), in addition to more rigid structures (such as steel catenary risersSteel catenary riser
A Steel catenary riser is a common method of attaching an offshore pipeline to a deepwater floating oil production platform. The pipeline is extended into a flexible pipeline up to a catenary on the production platform....
, pipelines etc.), a numerical solution scheme is required which caters for (i) bending stiffnesses which are much lower than both axial stiffness and torsional stiffness values, and (ii) arbitrarily large and nonlinear displacements and rotations in three dimensions. To accommodate the low or zero bending stiffness problem, very early versions of Flexcom were based on a 2D hybrid beam-column element . In this approach the axial force appeared as an explicit nodal solution variable, and was interpolated independently of the axial strain. The stress-strain compatibility relationship was applied outside of the virtual work
Virtual work
Virtual work arises in the application of the principle of least action to the study of forces and movement of a mechanical system. Historically, virtual work and the associated calculus of variations were formulated to analyze systems of rigid bodies, but they have also been developed for the...
statement by means of a Lagrangian constraint. This proved an accurate approach, and was subsequently extended to three dimensions . Further developments resulted in the addition of an extra Lagrangian constraint on the torque degree of freedom, in order to make the scheme more robust and accurate when this variable plays a significant role in the solution . This leads to a fourteen degree of freedom hybrid finite element with two end nodes, where the axial force and torque are added to the usual form of a three-dimensional beam element.
External links