Model Experiments of a Tension Leg Platform

The present paper presents the results of an experimental program on tension leg platforms. The geometric form of the test model structure is a conical shell surface. The model structure was tested in a hydraulics laboratory. The dynamic behavior depends on the buoyancy of the main structure and tension in the legs. Dynamic characteristic values for the TLP model test were compared against the theoretical values according to the Frude law. The difference between the model test values and theoretical values was found to be 7.5% and therefore is considered to be satisfactory.