It is proposed to moor the DEEP DRILLER in 600 feet of water in a region in which the effective wind velocity could reach 80 knots, significant wave height could reach 30 feet, and the current could be 1.5 knots. If these conditions occurred at the same time from the bow, the total environmental force would be __________.
⢠Combined environmental loads from wind, waves, and current on a moored drilling unit ⢠How force contributions from each environmental factor are typically added together when acting from the same direction ⢠Order-of-magnitude understanding of kips (kilo-pounds) vs the forces expected from strong storms on large offshore units
⢠Think about what happens to the total force on the vessel when wind, waves, and current are all acting from the bow at the same timeâhow are these effects generally combined? ⢠Consider whether a deepwater drilling unit in 600 feet of water under 80-knot winds and 30-foot seas would experience forces closer to the higher or lower end of the answer range. ⢠Compare the answer choices: which values seem too small or too large for a severe combined environmental condition on a large offshore structure?
⢠Confirm that you are thinking in terms of sum of forces (not averaging them) when they act from the same direction. ⢠Check whether the approximate total force should be in the hundreds of kips and which option best matches a realistic combined storm load. ⢠Verify that your choice is consistent with all three contributors (wind, waves, and current), not just one dominant effect.
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