Prediction and mitigation of snap loads in mooring lines

Research Project, 2016 – 2019

The project aims to take a holistic approach to the problem of snap loads in mooring cables of floating wave energy converters (fWECs). New numerical methods for snap load propagation will be developed and used to assess snap load probability and magnitude in existing mooring design types. In particular, the snap-load mitigating effect of the Seaflex® mooring material will be studied. The project will further design and develop a new solution for snap-elimination in tension leg mooring systems. The solution will be specifically tailored for mooring the Corpower Ocean buoy, but it has potential use also for tension-leg platforms (TLPs) for floating wind energy and other WECs. Field measurements and laboratory testing of the mooring response will be used to validate the numerical method and act as input to an optimisation of the design.