Dynamic Response of Triceratops with Elliptical Legs under Oblique Space Launches

Abstract

The offshore triceratops platform has emerged as a promising candidate for maritime launches due to its innovative and unique responsive characteristics. Their form-dominant design facilitates dynamic equilibrium and effectively controls the impact of the deck’s rotational motion during sea-borne launch. A parametric study examines how the shape of buoyant legs influences the dynamic response during rocket launches, utilizing ANSYS AQWA for analysis. The study finds that elliptical legs with an eccentricity of 2 reduce deck responses. While the deck rotation is driven by the quasi-static rocket thrust and the differential heave of the legs, the pitch response arises from the waves and is reduced by using elliptical legs. Numerical studies conducted during rocket launches show an amplified deck response. The vertical force on the deck is maximized during vertical launches and minimized during 30° launches. The pitch moment on the deck increases with launch eccentricity, which is attributed to the cantilever effect of the launch platform.

Keywords

Triceratops / Marine space launch / Elliptical legs / Oblique rocket launch / Dynamic analysis / Form dominant response control / Compliant platform

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Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature