OrcaFlex 11.6b: Advanced Offshore Marine Dynamic Analysis Software

OrcaFlex 11.6b is the latest version of Orcina's industry-leading software for the global static and dynamic analysis of offshore marine systems . Known for its power and flexibility, it is used extensively for riser systems, moorings, renewable energy, pipelay, and many other offshore applications .

Version 11.6b Overview

This version is a minor upgrade within the OrcaFlex 11.6 release cycle, primarily focused on bug fixes . It is recommended that users of earlier 11.6 versions upgrade .

Key Bug Fixes in 11.6b

• Graph Updating: Fixed an issue where graphs would not update correctly when switching between different headings or degrees of freedom .

• Mesh View Display: Corrected a display issue with the mesh view settings panel that could occur on screens with different DPI scaling .

Major Features of the 11.6 Release

The foundational 11.6 release introduced significant new functionality across the platform :

• Updated Shaded Graphics: Completely re-implemented using DirectX 12 with physically based rendering (PBR) for realistic visuals, including shadows and advanced lighting models for the sea, seabed, and sky .

• Frequency Domain Analysis: Significant enhancements, including reporting results for low-frequency or wave-frequency solves separately and supporting sea state disturbance RAOs .

• Constraint Stiffness & Damping: New options for specification via 6x6 matrices or Python variable data, enabling complex, non-isotropic models .

• Applied Loads via Python Code: Allows forces and moments to be defined directly as mathematical functions of time and arc length using Python .

• OrcaWave Memory Optimizations: New computation strategy options to significantly reduce memory usage during calculations, enabling faster processing .

• Customizable Views: Per-view drawing control through view filters, allowing fine-grained visibility and rendering control using regular expression pattern matching .

Core Capabilities

OrcaFlex provides a comprehensive suite of tools for offshore engineering, including :

• Analysis: Nonlinear time domain (implicit & explicit), linear frequency domain (1st & 2nd order), quasi-dynamic, modal, fatigue, VIV, and extreme value statistics.

• Modeling: Fully coupled vessel-line analysis, line-line contact & clash, seabed interaction, P-y soil, line feeding, and coupled wind turbine analysis.

• Automation: Extensive Python API (OrcFxAPI), MATLAB interface, DLL integration, and batch processing capabilities.