The three-dimensional motion of an offshore compliant tower using both rigid and flexible beam models is studied in this paper. The tower is modelled as a beam supported by a torsional spring at the base with a point mass at the free end. The torsional spring constant is the same in all directions. When the beam is considered rigid, the two-degree-of-freedom model is employed. The two degrees constitute the two angular degrees of spherical co-ordinates, and the resulting equations are coupled and non-linear. When the beam is considered as elastic, three displacements are obtained as functions of the axial co-ordinate and time, again with coupled and non-linear equations of motion. The free and the forced responses due to deterministic loads are presented. The free responses of the rigid and elastic beams show rotating elliptical paths when viewed from above. The rate at which the path rotates depends on the initial conditions. When a harmonic transverse loading is applied in one direction, the displacement in that direction shows subharmonic resonance of order 1/2 and 1/3 while the displacement in the perpendicular direction is affected minimally. Next, in addition to the harmonic load in one direction, a transverse load is applied in the perpendicular direction. The transverse load varies exponentially with depth but is constant with time. It is found that the transverse load affects the transverse displacements in the perpendicular direction minimally. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. [References: 12]
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