Marine operations and mooring analysis software - Sima

Sima software is for efficient analysis of complex multi-body systems, including mooring analysis and marine operations

Coupled analysis of marine systems, including mooring analysis

Are you looking for in-place analysis or marine operations software that can do coupled analysis of any type of floating structure, including offshore wind turbines? The Sesam module Sima can perform analysis, including the coupled effect of waves, wind and current for structural analysis or mooring analysis.

For many floating structures, the combined effects of wind, current and waves must be taken into account. When this is to be applied to complex, multi-body systems, very efficient calculations are needed. Sima computations are based on the well-known and highly efficient solvers, Simo and Riflex.

Sima software - key benefits:

  • Include any number of separate bodies in the simulations
  • Slender structure modelling of mooring lines, risers, tendons, jumpers, buoys and flexible joints
  • Choose between fully dynamic and simplified catenary model for mooring lines and risers
  • Modelling of thrusters and DP (dynamic positioning) systems
  • Hydrodynamic coefficients read in from HydroD
  • Regular or irregular waves with current, swell and wind
  • Static analysis and calculation of line forces/moments, curvature and displacements
  • Time domain dynamic analysis with time series output of results
  • ULS Code checks for metallic risers according to DNVGL-ST-F201 and ISO 13628-7
  • Combined loading results including 3D contour plots and 2D graphs of code utilization factors along the riser
  • 3D animation of vessel and line displacements
  • Data export to Sesam structural analysis modules for detailed finite element analysis of the floater

Analysis of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs)

The coupled analysis in Sima software has been extended to handle floating offshore wind turbines. Additional, new FOWT-specific features include:

  • Modelling of offshore wind turbines blades
  • Wind load models
  • Wind turbine modelling, including control system
  • The wind turbine blades and the tower can be flexible

Marine operations software

Sima software is a complete tool for simulation of marine operations from modelling to results, built on software for dynamic analysis. Both 3D and 2D graphics make understanding the results fast and intuitive.

Visual simulation of the engineering calculations of marine operation, feasibility evaluation, distinguishing challenging tasks from the less challenging, preparation for the actual operation, familiarization and cross-disciplinary communication are all included in Sima software. In addition, Sima software provides decision support during actual operation, including online monitoring, visibility and 'what-if' analysis, offering state-of-the-art risk management.

Typical applications of Sima software:

  • Lifting of topsides and modules
  • Lifting and installation of subsea equipment (templates, pipelines, flexible risers)
  • Floatover installation/removal of topsides
  • Load-out from quay to barge
  • Offshore wind turbine installation
  • Offloading (tankers in tandem or side-by-side)
  • Offshore crane operations
  • Subsea installation (e.g. subsea templates)
  • Jacket/deck lift installation and removal (floatover)
  • Transportation (towing) of TLP Installation of TLP and GBS by e.g. tugs
  • Up-ending of spar buoy
  • Towing
More detailed information about SIMA can be found at SINTEF.