Orcaflex Documentation
Adelaida Frodge
OrcaFlex incorporates comprehensive context-sensitive help, accessible via the F1 key or from the Help menu. Additionally, this can be viewed online or accessed as a separate file for offline viewing. Links for both of these options are below.
You will also find below some further documentation relating to the OrcaFlex programming interface (OrcFxAPI) and an introduction to the Python interface to OrcaFlex, also run as a separate training course.
Welcome to the documentation for OrcaFlex (version 11.4c). OrcaFlex performs global static and dynamic analysis of a wide range of offshore systems, typically including boundary conditions such as vessels, buoys, etc., as well as finite element modelling of line structures. More introductory information can be found at www.orcina.com/orcaflex/, including:
This documentation explains how to build a model, run the program and extract results. It also contains the only published source of the theory behind OrcaFlex, augmented by a handful of technical notes at www.orcina.com/resources/. This documentation is available in the form of a dedicated OrcaFlex help browser, which presents context-sensitive help from within the program when F1 is pressed. The help browser is installed alongside OrcaFlex; it can also be downloaded from www.orcina.com/resources/documentation/, or the help topics can be viewed on-line www.orcina.com/webhelp/OrcaFlex/.
If you are new to OrcaFlex then our introduction videos are a useful resource. The published examples, each of which has an accompanying description, are a great way to deepen your understanding of OrcaFlex and its range of capabilities.
I think it can be done either way, control Orcaflex from MathCAD or pass data to MathCAD from Orcaflex, analyze, and return to Orcaflex. The starting point, I think, would be to pass the data to MathCAD, then back to Orcaflex. Python either control Orcaflex or be called by Orcaflex. Too much flexibilty for me at this time. Just trying to narrow down what may be a good starting point.
The starting point is to decide which piece of software is in the driving seat. Based on a very brief look (so I could be wrong!) at the Orcaflex API and scripting documentation, Orcaflex is not set up to call another piece of software. It is called from Python. So you could either call both Orcflex and Mathcad (using the Mathcad API) from Python, or you could write a VBscipt that calls a Python script that calls Orcaflex (kind of a kludge, but it would work), or you could write a User DLL for Mathcad in C++ that calls the Orcaflex API directly.
Back in 2016 we published An introduction to the Python interface to OrcaFlex. This is a high level overview and introduction to the Python interface that attempts to fill in some of the gaps not covered by the reference documentation.
We have just released an updated and extended version of this document. The document now covers some functionality that has been added to OrcaFlex since its original release in 2016, specifically frequency domain and diffraction. Additionally, we have added sections covering extreme value statistics and fatigue analysis.
OrcaFlex includes a facility to specify data in a user-defined function which we refer to as an External Function. The feature is documented in the OrcaFlex and OrcFxAPI help files. Some example external functions are supplied with the OrcaFlex installation. Alternatively these example functions, together with full documentation, can be downloaded below.
This section contains documentation for the OpenFAST module-coupling environment and its underlying modules. Documentation covers usage of models, underlying theory, and in some cases module verification.
The following modules do not currently have formal documentationor are contributed to OpenFAST from organizationsexternal to NREL and the core OpenFAST team. As documentation is added,these resources will be moved to their appropriate location. If newer versionsof the external resources are available, please open a GitHub Issuewith the information for the new documentation.
We are looking for a senior umbilical engineer to integrate our department \"risers, installation Analyses and umbilical\" (RIAU).
MISSION
Integrated within the RIAU team the engineer will BE supporting tender and/or project for the technical follow-up of the umbilical package.
- Understand Client needs develop specification for Suppliers.
- Interface with Supplier to evaluate the various proposals, support the selection of the Supplier through technical evaluation
- Interface with project team, engineering teams and SCM
- Develop with supplier design dossier to demonstrate compliance of the selected design and convince client experts
- Plan, detail and review technical documentation relating to umbilical, subsea hardware and topside interface; Design and engineering activities associated with Umbilical cross section, umbilical terminations, bend restrictors, cables, medium voltage distribution, flying leads, hydraulic hoses and tubes, general umbilical associated hardware,
- Manage provision of deliverables such as calculations/definition for umbilical core design (hydraulic/electrical), determination of interfaces between CS/SCS/valves/instrumentation, medium voltage power distribution, single and 3-phase Distribution Systems and Switchgear, etc.
- Ensure design and detailing in accordance with acknowledged industry Codes, Standards and Design Guides (e.g. API, DnV, ISO); Client Specifications and Scopes of Work.
- Production and checking of design documentation including feasibility reports, detailed design reports, construction drawings, design specifications, material take-offs, weight control calculations, etc.
- Maintain constant awareness of the overall project planning and responsible of the planning of his / her Scope of Work.
- Ensure progress and compliance of the supplier in close interface with SCM function
- Maintain an active follow-up of umbilical fabrications and testing, with ad-hoc mission to supplier premise.
- Ensure his/her work is performed in accordance with the latest HSEQ, and Group procedures.
- Liaise with associated subsea related disciplines and understand the interfaces within a project
- Provide engineering assistance during mobilisations and occasional periods of offshore or site working, including FATs, SITs, Pre-commissioning, etc.
- Participate as required in events such as Bid Clarifications, Kick off meetings, HIRAs, Design Reviews, etc.
- Use Mathcad and Excel to create or check project calculations
- Attend to project audits related to Engineering Activities as and when required.
- Attend to project engineering reviews as and when required.
- Ensure that know-how is transferred within the discipline.
- Attend to discipline meeting as required.
Capability profile - Knowledge, skills, experience
- Engineering Degree or equivalent qualification
- Relevant experience preferably in Offshore industry and umbilical or control design.
- Expertise in Umbilical design and fabrication for an offshore Oil & Gas EPCI project.
- Past experience with umbilical design and fabrication process as well as reporting creation by vendors as part of a qualification program.
- Knowledge on installation, on bottom stability, routing, crossing
- Understand clients' needs; identify and address design parameters and problems; develop and implement solutions.
- Independently evaluate, organise and prioritise work for self and others.
- Undertake responsibility for production of deliverables, which may include engineering support to drafting office, design calculations, specifications, procedures, analyses, progress reports, bid evaluations, study reports and various 3rd-party submissions.
- Ability to lead and function within a design team and across multiple projects.
- Experience in working in a multi-disciplined systems engineering team
- Ability to prioritise own workload, manage time accordingly and inform team members where constraints will affect a project in terms of programme or budget.
- Manage interfaces within a project structure, including other disciplines, drawing office, document control, project management, client and suppliers.
- Manage change control within own remit on a project. Inform team members where constraints will affect a project in terms of programme or budget.
- Demonstrable ability to work within time/budget constraints
- Ability in Vendor and 3rd Party management
- Ability in working in multicultural group
Systems where a further knowledge is welcome :
- Subsea umbilical installation
- Flexible system design
- OrcaFlex In place / Installation Analyses
- Offshore experience
- Subsea controls systems and instrumentation