Offshore Technology Research Center - A World Leader in Offshore Technology, Research, Education and Testing

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You are here: Home / Research / Capabilities

Capabilities

Our research program is carried out by staff engineers and faculty of Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin. We draw on the world-renowned research expertise of Texas A&M University College of Engineering, the University of Texas’ Cockrell School of Engineering and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to conduct research in the following areas:

Fluid-Structure Interaction

  • CFD modeling of

    • Riser VIV
    • Wave impact and greenwater loading
    • Tank sloshing
  • Experimental measurement of extreme waves

    • Optical velocimetry – PIV, BIV
    • Void fraction (greenwater)
  • Coupled dynamics of floating structures

    • Wave radiation/diffraction WAMMIT
    • Separated flows (bilge keels)
    • Moorings & risers coupled to floater – COUPLE
    • Multi-body hydrodynamics – WINPOST
    • Progressive failure and loss of stability
  • Scale model Testing

    • OTRC wave basin
    • Design of equivalent mooring and riser systems

Soil-Structure Interaction

  • Plasticity modeling of

    • SCR trenching
    • Suction caisson behavior
    • Plate anchor behavior
  • CFD modeling of

    • Torpedo pile penetration & capacity development
    • Ice ridge/seafloor/pipeline interaction during ice gouging
  • FEM modeling of

    • Suction caisson installation & capacity development
    • Pipeline collapse and buckle propagation
  • Scale modeling of

    • Suction caisson behavior (vertical load capacity)
    • Plate anchor behavior (in- and out-of-plane loading to failure)

Metocean and Seafloor Characterization

  • High resolution seafloor mapping

    • Geohazards (furrows, etc.)
    • Core sampling and analysis
  • Nonlinear modeling of storm waves

    • Long-short wave interaction
    • Decomposition of random directional wave fields
  • GIS databases

    • Seafloor properties
    • Hurricane hindcast data
    • Offshore infrastructure
  • Assessment of environmental risks

    • Mudslides
    • Slope stability

Mechanics of Materials

  • Composite pipe (risers, tendons, pipelines)

    • Constitutive modeling
    • FEM modeling of combined loading effects
    • Assessment of connectors and material layering
  • Intact and damaged capacity of polyester rope

    • Testing to failure
    • Theoretical modeling

Risk/Reliability Assessment/Management

  • Comparative risk assessment of new technologies

    • FPSO’s for Gulf of Mexico
    • Composite risers
    • Gas handling options
  • Assessment of environmental risks

    • Hurricane damage
  • Utra-deepwater drilling

  • Human Factors Engineering

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
Texas A&M University
University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering

Offshore Technology Research Center
1200 Mariner Drive
Texas A&M Research Park
College Station, TX 77845

Phone: (979) 845-6000

 

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