SimulationX® interface to OrcaFlex for advanced numerical analysis of complete system dynamics

Modeling and simulation tools have developed into various software applications for different domains. Some tools specialize in finite element analysis, some in computational fluid dynamics, some in hydro-dynamics, others in hydraulic system response analysis, and so forth. Currently, there is no software provider which includes all physical domains in one single CAE tool. The CAE tool potentially compromises the simulation performance due to the difference in numerical stiffness required for each physical domain, where pure rigid multibody dynamics can be solved quite fast, but the nature of fluid power systems introduces much higher stiffness.
In particular, offshore systems, like a riser tensioner or an offshore crane for subsea installation, pose many challenges for the CAE engineers due to the many different physical domains; hydro-dynamics, structural dynamics, multibody dynamics, fluid power, electrical actuation and more.
In order to overcome these challenges, Agito have developed a set of sample files on how the widely used ‘OrcaFlex for hydrodynamics and mooring systems can be co-simulated with the multi-domain software package SimulationX®, which is widely used for dynamic analysis of the surface and subsea equipment.
Utilizing co-simulation, the engineers obtain a fully analytical simulation where all coupled effects are handled. This gives more accurate and realistic simulation results, as well as saving the engineer’s time determining how to obtain the relative input for each of the domains. In the offshore industry, many companies have engineers working with hydrodynamic analysis on one side of the table struggling to estimate the applied forces from cranes, riser tensioner systems, etc. and on the other side of the table engineers using detailed models to establish motion input for vessels in order to evaluate the performance of their hydro-mechanical systems. Co-simulation will save engineering hours and increase the accuracy of the analysis.
Please contact Agito at support@agito.no and request our sample models for co-simulation between OrcaFlex and SimulationX®.