Design and Strength Assessment

of Moonpool Region
Dr. Y. V. Satish Kumar
Marine Department
Infotech Enterprises Ltd.
Hyderabad
Moonpool design should focus on elimination of hydrodynamic
disturbance to facilitate launching and retrieval of subsea systems.

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The Vessel

Main deck of the vessel with moonpool

• The vessel is originally a product carrier and is converted in multi purpose

offshore supply vessel with moonpool between frames 38~43.

• The preliminary design for the moonpool region is developed ABS rules.

• Analysis of moonpool region is carried out similar to hold model analysis.

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Preliminary design
• Issues of importance for preliminary design

– Elimination of hydrodynamic disturbance by introducing openings in

the non-water tight bulkheads and dampen the sloshing phenomenon in
the moonpool region.

– Identification of critical loading conditions

– Development of scantlings for critical loading conditions

– Preliminary design also deals with hull girder analysis

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Finite element model

• The rule based design is empirical in nature.

• A first principle based finite element analysis is carried out to obtain

accurate results and improve design with realistic loading conditions

• The finite element analysis is carried out with 3 hold model concept with

the model extending from 32 to frame 50.

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Loading conditions

• The different wave conditions are considered and hogging wave is found to

be critical loading condition

• The loading components include

– Static loads ( Self weight)
– Dynamic loads (Hydrodynamic loads)
– Machinery and equipment loads

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Hull girder loads

Shear force

Bending moment

• The hull girder loads such as bending moment and shear force are applied

to FE model i.e. hold model

• Verification of static equilibrium of the vessel under the applied loads.

• Sloshing loads are also considered in the moonpool region.

• The motion accelerations for the dynamic loads are calculated using ABS

rules.
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Preliminary design
New girder

• Preliminary design showed that longitudinal strength is insufficient with

introduction of moonpool.

• A new girder is introduced to meet the longitudinal strength requirements.

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Hydrodynamic design
Bulkheads in moonpool region Non watertight bulkheads

• The hydrodynamic design involves placement of openings in the non

watertight bulkheads at regular intervals and also baffles between the

watertight and non watertight bulkheads at regular intervals.

• This provides damping of hydrodynamic disturbances and ensures safe

launching and retrieval of the subsea systems.

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Structural design
Initial design Final design

• The initial design is developed from the rule based design and maximum

stress is found to be 37ksi which is above the permissible limits.

• The final design is developed with change of scantlings at all critical

locations and the maximum stress is found to be 25ksi.

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Moonpool hatch cover design
Moonpool hatch cover

vonMises stresses

Unity check ratios for

stiffeners

• The hatch cover of the moonpool is designed

for weather loads.
• The designed stiffener scantlings and the shell
thickness are found to be adequate from
strength point of view.
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Stress concentration factor

• The stress concentration factor at the moonpool corner is calculated using local analysis.

• Nominal stress = 1.33 ksi

• Geometric stress =5.643ksi

• SCF = 4.24
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Conclusions

• The moonpool of size 25'× 25' is designed for a multipurpose supply

vessel.
• The preliminary design is done using rules of ABS for estimation of
longitudinal strength and development of scantlings.
• The hogging wave condition is found to be critical loading condition.
• The openings in non watertight bulkheads and also baffles are introduced
to dampen the hydrodynamic disturbance.
• The finite element analysis is carried out to improvise the design. Several
members in the moonpool region are strengthened to withstand the design
loads.
• The moonpool hatch cover is designed to withstand the environmental
loads.

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