Nonlinear coupled response of tension leg platform

A dynamic response analysis of tension leg platform (TLP) to deterministic first order wave forces is presented, considering coupling between various degrees of freedom surge, sway, heave, pitch, roll and yaw. The analysis duly considers nonlinearities produced due to changes in cable-tension and due to nonlinear hydro-dynamic drag forces. The wave forces on the elements of the pontoon structure are calculated using Airy's wave theory and Morison's equation. The nonlinear equation of motion is solved in the time domain by Newmark's β-method. With the help of proposed analysis, some example problems are solved in order to investigate the effects of different important factors that influence the response of TLP.