Dynamic behaviour of tension leg platform under impulsive loading

In the literature on dynamics of tension leg platforms (TLPs), the effect of frequently occurring environmental forces, such as those arising due to wave, wind, current, tide, etc. has given the due consideration. However, less probable forces, such as that arising due to collision of ship with iceberg or any huge sea creature, etc., have not been considered in the study. Such small duration impact forces, usually termed as impulsive forces, may take four possible shapes: (i) rectangular, (ii) sinusoidal, (iii) triangular, and (iv) half-triangular. In the present study, response of TLP has been obtained for all these four shaped impulsive forces. The result of the analyses shows that there is a dramatic change in surge, heave, and yaw responses of TLP due to such forces. In addition, a comparative study to find the most influencing impulsive force out of these four has also been conducted.