FormSys has announced the first products in a new suite of software tools for offshore engineering applications. The new software was on display at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, TX – May 2, 2011.
The new software extends FormSys’ Maxsurf suite of naval architecture software and Multiframe suite of structural engineering software, with offshore specific applications. The new software capability will allow offshore engineers, naval architects and structural engineers to better simulate the motions, stability, forces and stresses on offshore vessels and platforms.
For naval architects involved in predicting the stability and motions of offshore vessels and platforms, the Maxsurf suite has new tools for assessing the intact and damage stability of complex floating shapes such as semi-submersibles. The range of new modeling and volume calculation tools, combined with support for the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) and other stability codes, helps naval architects ensure that new designs or modifications comply with relevant stability criteria.
In addition, the Maxsurf Seakeeper module has been upgraded to provide enhanced calculation and simulation of vessel motions. Used for the prediction of motions of FPSO’s and OSV’s, Seakeeper now has new tools for predicting motion sickness incidence and for simulating and displaying motions in a random sea state.
For structural engineers, the Multiframe suite of software has new tools for automating lifting calculations for installation projects. The new analysis mode automatically stabilizes the structure to make it easier for engineers to check lifting calculations. In addition, new load cases have been added for automatically applying wind loads, buoyancy loads and current loads to any structure.
The Maxsurf and Multiframe suites can work together for problems which involve loads due to vessel motions. A new vessel motions load case in Multiframe can take inputs from the vessel accelerations calculated by Seakeeper.
This first release of offshore-specific analysis tools marks the start of what will become a comprehensive suite of offshore engineering software. FormSys is one of the few companies with both naval architecture and structural engineering software expertise and so is well placed to provide solutions to problems where these two professions intersect. The final public release of the new software will occur in July 2011.
FormSys (formerly known as Formation Design Systems) develops computer aided design software systems for naval architects, structural engineers and offshore engineers. It has over 2000 customers in over 30 countries. FormSys customers include leading consulting engineering companies in the offshore sector including Aker Solutions, DOF Subsea, DNV and ABS.
For further information email info@formsys.com
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