FUGRO General Robotics has added a friction modelling component to its DeepWorks simulator to allow users to model friction acting on dynamic bodies like cables and ROVs when they come into contact with each other or with the seabed.
The purpose is to add realism to subsea simulations.
According to the company, friction is an important component in forecasting behaviour of both moving and stationary subsea objects, and that DeepWorks now calculates friction resulting from any forces acting on the body including gravity.
The friction depends on a number of factors including contact area, friction coefficients, and, seafloor profile.
The level of frictional resistance varies depending on amount of contact, such as cables pulled linearly along the seabed will exhibit much less friction than cables pulled laterally.
This enables more accurate simulation and visualisation of the motion and final resting place of dynamic bodies that come into contact with those parts of the seabed. This is especially important for ROV supported templates or pipeline installation and for touchdown prediction during cable-lay operations.
The new package now takes account of the combined effect of the prevailing currents and the frictional forces at the points of contact.
Fugro says that, for ROV pilot training, this enables better understanding of the demands on thrusters in moving the vehicle from rest on the sea floor to a stand-off position around cables or structures.