Tension and Geometry of Single Point Moored Surface Buoy System. A Computer Program Study

摘要

A computer program is developed to study the steady-state geometry and cable tensions of the single-point, moored oceanographic buoy system as used by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This mooring is a combination of wire and nylon rope. The program numerically integrates the cable equations allowing for: elastic cables, variation of current speed with depth, drag and weight forces, instruments supported in the mooring line, and the effects of specific buoy shapes. Model experiments performed to determine buoy drag as a function of hull shape, current speed and mooring cable tension are discussed. An experiment performed to determine the elastic properties of nylon ropes in a deep-sea mooring application is also described. A series of representative mooring systems have been examined to determine the effect of nylon scope, current speed, rope size, buoy type, cable drag coefficient, and nylon elasticity on rope safety factor and buoy excursion. These results are presented and discussed. (Author)