7. Structural Analysis of Oil-Spill Booms

Floating barriers, often named booms, are used to contain oil. They are a main device installed during pollution response and their efficient positioning is a critical question for both effective oil containment and structural material resistance. A 3D non-linear finite element model for static moored booms is forced by sea current hydrodynamic pressure. To improve the numerical convergence of the membrane equilibrium during the Newton-Raphson scheme we initialize the 3D solution by using a 2D non-linear cable model. The membrane stretched surface representing the boom permits to define the material stress and the boom subsea skirt angulation. Full-scale experiments are performed on the European Atlantic coast to measure boom mooring tension and boom skirt geometry. In this chapter, in-situ experimental method at coastal sea is given. Validation protocol of numerical results by experimental ones is described. Threshold values on boom tension, to avoid structural break, and skirt angle to evaluate the oil containment efficiency are discussed. Finally, methodological aspect to combat oil pollution by using contingency planning based on such numerical modelling of booming structure is addressed.