Available online
Description
The programme examines the mathematics involved in predicting the behaviour of a North Sea oil rig jacket when disturbed by waves during its tow to the oil field.
The programme examines the mathematics involved in predicting the behaviour of a North Sea oil rig jacket when disturbed by waves during its tow to the oil field.
| Module code and title: | TM281, Modelling by mathematics |
|---|---|
| Item code: | TM281; 11 |
| First transmission date: | 04-10-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Colin Robinson |
| Contributors: | Steve Mawer; Bob Tunnicliffe |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Differential equation; Dynamics; Modelling; North Sea oil |
| Footage description: | Film shots of the 'Thistle A' oil platform jacket being towed to sea. Commentary by Bob Tunnicliffe introduces the programme. Film shots of the jacket and its support ships on site prior to up-ending. Tunnicliffe (V/O) introduces Steve Mawer. Steve Mawer, on Board the control ship 'Orca', explains his duties as consultant mathematician. Mawer explains why a dynamic analysis was undertaken to predict the motions, due to wave action, of the jacket under tow. Film shots of jacket under tow. Tunnicliffe, in the studio, uses diagrams to draw together the various parameters which are used to model the simple up and down motion of the jacket. He arrives at a first approximation of the angle at which the jacket is tipped. Mawer explains why this simple approximation is not good enough. Tunnicliffe, again with the aid of several diagrams, takes into account one of the sophistications to the simple model above - the size of the jacket legs. Tunnicliffe goes on to introduce rotational motion to the model. Diagrams help to illustrate his points. He sets up an equation of angular motion using, essentially, Newton's second law. Mawer explains how Tunnicliffe's mathematics of the Model relate to the 'real' world. Film of the jacket on the water. Shots of a physical model of an oil jacket floating in a ripple tank. Mawer explains why this sort of testing is necessary. Tunnicliffe in the studio, also joins the discussion. More shots of the model in the ripple tank. Mawer and Tunnicliffe explain and demonstrate the steps which are taken to bring the results of the physical scale Model and the mathematical model into correspondence. A graph is used to illustrate points made. Mawer points out some areas where the mathematical model could be improved in future applications. Film shots of the jacket on site and being up-ended. Commentary by Attenborough sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72405 |
| Production number: | FOU1316P |
| Videofinder number: | 777 |
| Available to public: | no |
