Orwell Offshore uses the industry standard ANSYS Finite Element Analysis (FEA) package. This is a very powerful piece of software that can be used for beam, shell and solid element modelling, using linear and non-linear analyses. Structures that have been modelled in SolidWorks or other 3D CAD packages can easily be imported into ANSYS allowing for the rapid creation of finite element models. Orwell Offshore’s engineers primarily use this package to model the stresses and deflections in deck structures, vessel decks and under-deck beams.

The following pictures show an example of a recent application of this software modelling the quick release hook at the stern of an FPSO.