• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.153-160
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• 2010

This paper deals with the topology optimized design of the riser support structures for floating production storage and offloading units (FPSOs) under global and local loading conditions. For a preliminary study and validation of the numerical approach, a simplified plate under static loading is first evaluated with the representative topology optimization methods, the Homogenization Design Method (HDM) and Density Method (DM) or Simple Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP). In the context of the corresponding riser support structures, the design problem is formulated such that structure shapes based on design domain variables are determined by minimizing the compliance subject to a mass target, considering the stress criterion. An initial design model is generated based on an actual FPSO riser support configuration. The topology optimization results present improved design performances under various loading conditions, while staying within the allowable limit of the offshore area.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.1323-1332
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• 2009

The IHX (Intermediate Heat eXchanger) for a pool-type SFR (Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor) system transfers heat from the primary high temperature sodium to the intermediate cold temperature sodium. The upper structure of the IHX is a coaxial structure designed to form a flow path for both the secondary high temperature and low temperature sodium. The coaxial structure of the IHX consists of a central downcomer and riser for the incoming and outgoing intermediate sodium, respectively. The IHX of a pool-type SFR is supported at the upper surface of the reactor head with an IHX support structure that connects the IHX riser cylinder to the reactor head. The reactor head is generally maintained at the low temperature regime, but the riser cylinder is exposed in the elevated temperature region. The resultant complicated temperature distribution of the co-axial structure including the IHX support structure may induce a severe thermal stress distribution. In this study, the structural feasibility of the current upper support structure concept is investigated through a preliminary stress analysis and an alternative design concept to accommodate the IHTS (Intermediate Heat Transport System) piping expansion loads and severe thermal stress is proposed. Through the structural analysis it is found that the alternative design concept is effective in reducing the thermal stress and acquiring structural integrity.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.20-33
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• 2010

The paper deals with strength design of a riser support installed on floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel under various loading conditions - operation, extreme, damaged, one line failure case (OLFC) and installation. The design problem is formulated such that thickness sizing variables are determined by minimizing the weight of a riser support structure subject to stresses constraints. The initial design model is generated based on an actual FPSO riser support specification. The finite element analysis (FEA) is conducted using MSC/NASTRAN, and optimal solutions are obtained via moving least squares method (MLSM) in the context of response surface based approximate optimization. For the meta-modeling of inequality constraint functions of stresses, a constraint-feasible moving least squares method (CF-MLSM) is used in the present study. The method of CF-MLSM, compared to a conventional MLSM, has been shown to ensure the constraint feasibility in a case where the approximate optimization process is employed. The optimization results present improved design performances under various riser operating conditions.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.543-551
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• 2011

The paper deals with the comparative study of design optimization based on various approximation techniques in strength design of riser support structure installed on floating production storage and offloading unit(FPSO) using offshore operation loading conditions. The design optimization problem is formulated such that structural member sizing variables are determined by minimizing the weight of riser support structure subject to the constraints of structural strength in terms of loading conditions. The approximation techniques used in the comparative study are response surface method based sequential approximate optimization(RBSAO), Kriging based sequential approximate optimization(KBSAO), and the enhanced moving least squares method(MLSM) based approximate optimization such as CF(constraint feasible)-MLSM and Post-MLSM. Commercial process integration and design optimization(PIDO) tools are employed for the applications of RBSAO and KBSAO. The enhanced MLSM based approximate optimization techniques are newly developed to ensure the constraint feasibility. In the context of numerical performances such as design solution and computational cost, the solution results from approximate techniques based design optimization are compared to actual non-approximate design optimization.