Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1985

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Su, Tsung-Chow

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The plume resulting from a subsea well blowout alters the environmental loading on a floating platform which is directly above the well. Horizontal ocean currents deflect the plume and may create a more severe loading on the structure. During the early stages of a blowout the "starting plume" induces forces of a different magnitude on the structure. A preliminary experimental study, investigating the transient loads induced by starting plumes and the effects of currents on blowout plumes, was conducted. The results of the experiments showed that the forces involve significant fluctuations which are quite different from the average values. The normal forces induced by starting plumes were slightly greater. Horizontal currents caused an increase in the moment acting on the structure. This is of considerable importance as moments, when coupled with the situation of flooded decks and compartments, may cause the structure to sink.

Extent

80 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1985.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FADT14267

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS