Undersea Suspended Cable Structures

The design, analysis and implantment of undersea suspended cable structures is explored. These structures have been located in water depths to 19,000 feet (5,800 m). The predominant external load imposed on the structures in-situ is current-induced drag; however, the design is often significantly influenced by the dynamic forces generated during implantment by the surface platform motions. Hydrostatic pressure may be the governing load in the design of some components. Analytical techniques are available for predicting the dynamic response of these structures subjected to implantment and in-situ forces. The influence of cable strumming on structural response can also be estimated. The design must consider the following: limitations to be imposed on the structure motion, the mean and maximum current profile, the corrosion and biofouling potential at the site, and the weather window for implantment. Implantment (or construction) techniques emphasize prefabrication to minimize on-site operations and time.