International Journal of Offshore and Coastal Engineering

September 2017
DOI:10.19026/ijoce.9.1369
ISSN: 2040-7459; e-ISSN: 2040-7467
© 2017 Department of Ocean Engineering – ITS

Design and Structural Strength Analysis of SeaStation Offshore

Aquaculture Cage for Indonesian Open Sea
Nur Syahronia,*, Vilda Arivianab and Yeyes Mulyadic
a)
Senior Lecturer, Department of Ocean Engineering, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Surabaya, Indonesia
b)
Undergraduate Student, Department of Ocean Engineering, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Surabaya, Indonesia
c)
Senior Lecturer, Department of Ocean Engineering, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Surabaya, Indonesia
*Corresponding author: nsyahroni@oe.its.ac.id

ABSTRACT population will decline.

This paper discussed about designed and analyzed structural
strength of SeaStation Aquaculture Cage for Yellowfin Tuna.
Design and analysis is performed to obtain the right dimensions by
considering the maximum stress on the structure and fatigue life of
the structure. This research begins by determining the size of the
structure to be made by considering the number of fish to be
cultivated. Next steps is motion analysis of the SeaStation structure
due to the environmental load in free floating and moored
condition to obtain a large tension mooring line. As well as the
maximum tension of mooring line based on the environmental load,
the global structure analysis of SeaStation structure was perfomed.
The results have to comply with the requirement of ABS rules.
Fatigue analysis by deterministic approach was applied using to
S-N Curve method. Based on numerical modeling, it is known that
the maximum motion on SeaStation is 2.15 m/m for surge at
operation conditions and 5.81 deg/m for pitch at operation
conditions. Based on the simulation carried out to obtain the
maximum tension on the mooring line is 979.31 kN at heading 45°
with safety factor 2.28. The maximum stress obtained on the
structure of the SeaStation of 211.05 MPa. Based on the maximum
stress, the fatigue life of the SeaStation structure is 28 years during
operation time.
Keywords: Aquaculture, Cage Design, Deterministic Approach,
Stress Range, SeaStation, Von-Mises Stress.
1. INTRODUCTION
The total potential value of the economy in the Indonesian
marine sector is estimated at 1.3 trillion US dollars per year.
Some of these sectors include capture fishery, aquaculture,
fishery products processing, and seafood, marine
biotechnology industries and energy and mineral resources.
However, marine fisheries in Indonesia are classified as
overweight because of the 6.5 million ton fish populations
in Indonesia, 5.8 million tonnes have been captured [13].
This results in an imbalance between the number of fishing
and the reproductive time of the fish, so the longer the fish
One potential way to become a "savior" for fish
populations is fish farming. So far, the method of fish
farming in Indonesia is by way of a pond that is usually done
in coastal areas, but this method can only be used for certain
types of fish. In addition to ponds, another method of fish
farming is aquaculture. Aquaculture is the cultivation of
aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and
aquatic plants [6]. Aquaculture includes freshwater and
saltwater cultivation under controlled population conditions.
Aquaculture locations are usually in coastal areas to shallow
seas. But in recent years, coastal cages have been perceived
as increasingly harmful to coastal environment [3]. This
contamination is caused by dirt, food scraps and dead fish in
aquaculture cage. Knowing these conditions requires a
solution of existing conditions to improve fishery
productivity without damaging the environment around
coastal and coastal areas [12].
A special branch of aquaculture involving the
cultivation of marine organisms in the ocean is called
mariculture. Mariculture refers to aquaculture practiced in
marine environments and underwater habitats [4].
Aquaculture development by exploiting the potential of the
oceans has recently been intensively developed. One of the
researches under development is deep sea aquaculture or
offshore mariculture. Offshore mariculture is located in the
medium to deep sea so it is expected to no longer damage
the coastal areas. In developed countries such as Japan,
Norway, and America have experienced rapid growth [11].
However, some things to note in the design process of
Offshore mariculture are, among other things, more
complex structural considerations than aquaculture
structures in shallow seas, since they operate in the deep
ocean, of course, have to consider extreme waves that may
occur [2]. In addition, consideration of the type of fish to be
cultivated should correspond to habitat in deep sea waters.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The flow and procedure of the study is conducted by the
stages as follow. Firstly, a literature review is performed by
referring to the materials as contained in text books,
journals, codes and standards, rules and regulations, and so
on. This stage also cover an effort in comprehending the
design software Solidworks, hydrodynamic software
ANSYS AQWA and structural software ANSYS
MECHANICAL, as well as the structural analysis on the
basis of finite element method.
3.1 Design and Support System SeaStation
Determination of the concept of aquaculture design refers to
the existing design and applied in the United States that is
the SeaStation model. Since the model is applied in
Indonesia it has some dimensional changes like the
following.

2.1 Data Collection

Data collection of SeaStation Aquaculture structures that
once existed and installed. After determining the locations
that can represent the state of the deepwater environment in
Indonesia, the collection of environmental data in the form
of wave and current data, as a consideration of structural
design.

2.2 Concept Design and Support System SeaStation

Aquaculture Figure 1. SeaStation Sketch Side View
At this stage the planning of the design concept of cage
structure. This is done so that the structure can conform to
the state of the deepwater environment in Indonesia. Things
planned are:
• Shape and size of SeaStation Aquaculture
• System installation, operations, feeding, monitoring
and harvesting
• Determination of the type of mooring system used

2.3 Modeling and Computation using ANSYS

AQWA
Modeling needs to be necessary because it is very influential
on the calculation of the strength of the structure and the
strength of the retarder. Modeling is done to find the exact
dimensions and configurations of the structure. The
SeaStation structure will be modeled using Solidworks
software. Next is to analyze the structure response due to the Figure 2. SeaStation Sketch Top View
wave load. Aquaculture feedback is analyzed using ANSYS
AQWA software.

2.4 Structural Strength Analysis of Operating and

Environmental Loads
At this stage will analyze the strength of the structure using
ANSYS MECHANICAL. Previously done 3D modeling in
Solidworks and the selection of materials to be used. Global
strain on SeaStation structure in running ANSYS. After that
done Analysis of the results obtained with reference to the
American Berau of Shipping (ABS) to know the structure is
in accordance with criteria or not.

Figure 3. SeaStation Details

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3.2 Mooring Configuration For direction of wave load to heading structure done in five
In order to keep the SeaStation stays in its intended position, direction, that is 0, 45, and 90 degree.
the structure is moored to the seabed. SeaStation
Aquaculture stretch the type of mooring made is catenary
buoy mooring. The type of mooring configuration used is
the Rectangular Array, where there are 8 lines connecting
the structure with the buoy and 8 lines connecting the buoy
with the anchor. So the modeling mooring system looks like
in the picture below.

Figure 7. RAO Translation SeaStation on heading 0°

Figure 4. Mooring Modeling Isometric View

Figure 5. Mooring Modeling Top View Figure 8. RAO Rotation SeaStation on heading 0°

3.3 RAO SeaStation in Moored Condition

Tension mooring line analysis on the structure of the
SeaStation when moored with buoy is performed to obtain
the greatest stress on the mooring line as input in subsequent
modeling. Tension analysis is done with the help of ANSYS
AQWA software with time domain analysis simulation on
operational condition. To generate maximum tension on line
required simulation for 3 hours (10800 s) as recommended
from DNV E301 [7].

Figure 9. RAO Translation SeaStation on heading 45°

Figure 6. Wave and Current Load Direction

Figure 10. RAO Rotation SeaStation on heading 45°

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Table 2. Load Combination of Heading 0°

Heading Time (s) Cable Force (N) SF
0 9235.8 Cable 1 94167 23.69
Cable 2 6837 326.30
Cable 3 9987 223.39
Cable 4 75045 29.73
Cable 5 8658 257.68
Cable 6 61167 36.47
Cable 7 14091 158.33
Cable 8 7071 315.48
Figure 11. RAO Translation SeaStation on heading 90°
Table 3. Load Combination of Heading 45°
Heading Time (s) Cable Force (N) SF
45 5740.4 Cable 1 73750 30.25
Cable 2 979319 2.28
Cable 3 159781 13.96
Cable 4 9915 224.99
Cable 5 29587 75.40
Cable 6 24765 90.09
Cable 7 290606 7.68
Cable 8 33832 65.94

Figure 12. RAO Rotation SeaStation on heading 90° Table 4. Load Combination of Heading 90°
Heading Time (s) Cable Force (N) SF
3.4 Mooring Line Tensions 90 6607.2 Cable 1 8973.16 248.63
Tension mooring line analysis on the structure of the
SeaStation when moored with buoy is performed to obtain Cable 2 70165.39 31.80
the greatest stress on the mooring line as input in subsequent Cable 3 7071.73 315.48
modeling. Tension analysis is done with the help of ANSYS Cable 4 40186.18 55.52
AQWA software with time domain analysis simulation on Cable 5 13893.81 160.58
operational condition. To generate maximum tension on line
Cable 6 69413.76 32.14
required simulation for 3 hours (10800 s) as recommended
from DNV E301 [7]. Cable 7 100238.50 22.26
After the maximum tension is obtained, it is necessary Cable 8 7660.50 291.23
to check the safety factor. ABS stated that a mooring line in
this case is mooring line is considered to meet safety 3.5 Meshing Sensitivity
standards if the result of comparison of Minimum Breaking Meshing is the division of the structure model into small
Load with tension obtained from the simulation results must elements according to the desired divisor size. Meshing here
be greater than the provision of ABS, that is 1.67 [1]. serves as a place of stress distribution on these small
elements. The smaller meshing size causes the stress
𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 distribution to be better where the results obtained will also
𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = (1)
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 be more valid.
Sensitivity analysis needs to be done to ensure that the
For the direction of wave load on the heading the stress that occurs at the outcome of the analysis is correct
structure is done in five directions, ie 0, 45, and 90. After and close to the truth value. Based on the variation of the
simulation with ANSYS Aqwa software obtained tension on meshing density that has been tested, then obtained the
the maximum and minimum mooring line at each load angle result of Von Mises stress. Based on the meshing variations
as shown in Table Below this. performed, the meshing tabulation is obtained as follows:

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Table 1. Tabulation of meshing density variation results On each axis we can know the main stress
No Size (m) Nodes Element
Stress 𝜎1, 𝜎2, 𝜎3 calculated from the stress component with the
(MPa) following equation:
1 0.15 447186 230172 59.41
2 0.10 500630 257099 112.42 𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎0 𝜎𝑥𝑦 𝜎𝑥𝑧
3 0.09 534194 273082 117.93 [ 𝜎𝑥𝑦 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎0 𝜎𝑦𝑧 ] = 0 (3)
4 0.08 586108 298646 119.11 𝜎𝑥𝑧 𝜎𝑦𝑧 𝜎𝑧 − 𝜎0
5 0.07 665060 338164 129.62
6 0.06 784920 398199 129.62 In Figure 15. below is an example of load condition on the
7 0.05 1000197 506713 129.62 SeaStation structure.

Figure 15. Load Combination Input

It can be seen that for the loading conditions previously

described in Table 2 - Table 4 the stress of loading from 3
Figure 13. Graph of Meshing Sensitivity headings is as follows:
Based on Table and graph in Figure can be concluded Table 5. Von Mises Stress Result
that the structure of SeaStation can be well modeled on mesh
Heading Von Mises Stress (MPa)
size 0.07 mm, because the value of stress output does not
change (constant). 0 degree Max 200.188
45 degree Max 211.051
90 degree Max 153.32

For the highest stress results that occur under these

conditions are described in the following figure:

Figure 14. Meshing

3.6 Global Strength Analysis

From the table above it can be seen that for load conditions
with specific heading, the highest stress and deformation
that occurs in the structure of SeaStation heading 45° with T
= 5740.4 s during operating conditions. To calculate the
Figure 16. Von Mises Stress result for load condition in
stress we use the equation:
heading 45° is 211.05 MPa
𝑀𝑥 . 𝑌
𝜎(𝑥, 𝑦) = (2)
𝐼

Where 𝑀𝑥 is bending moment, 𝑌 is normal distance of field

and 𝐼 is moments of inertial field.

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 International Journal of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
Figure 17. Von Mises Stress result for load condition in
heading 45° is 211.05 MPa
Menurut ABS struktur dikatakan aman jika tegangan yang
terjadi tidak melebihi 90% yield strength. Pada analisis ini
material yang digunakan adalah Baja ASTM A36 dengan
yield strength sebesar 211.05 MPa, sehingga 90% dari yield
strength Baja ASTM A36 adalah 225 Mpa. Dapat dilihat
dari hasil analisis di atas, tegangan maksimum pada struktur
SeaStation tidak melebihi 225 Mpa.
3.7 Fatigue Analysis
The environmental data used include 1-year wave data,
which will be used in the load calculation of the
environmental load during the operation. Fatigue
calculations are performed by deterministic method, ie by
reviewing the ratio of cumulative damage (D) due to the
load received by the structure. The number of cycles of the
stress range (Ni) with the Si price causing the connection
failure can be obtained by using the S-N curve with the
connection type corresponding to the type of connection is
the connection type B1. Where variable A is the intercept of
the log axis, while m is the slope of the S-N axis.
Figure 16. S-N Curve
With the value of Pi which is the number of incident
wave on metocean data and value of ΔS which is stress range
between Smax and Smin which happened for 1 year
obtained from ANSYS. Then the calculation of fatigue due
to the loads working on the structure is shown as follows:
Table 6. Fatigue calculation on the SeaStation Structure
From the above table it can be seen that the cumulative
damage due to the wave load is equal to the limit of
cumulative damage allowed is less than 1. The fatigue life
of the structure is within seconds then converted in years. So
the structure can be said to be safe with 28 years old fatigue
life.
4. CONCLUSIONS
From the overall work of the final project, it can be
concluded the following:
 The concept of aquaculture model used is SeaSation
Aquaculture using A36 steel pipe. The structure
dimension of SeaStation consists of a steel tube
vertical spar with outside diameter of 40 inch and
length 11 meters, steel rim with outside diameter of 20
inch and length 52 meter, rope as much as 16 each
having the same size with diameter 2 inch and 9.35
meters long, and a ring of 2 with an outside diameter
of 50 inches. The net used is polyethyline mesh with
1.25 x 1.25 inch mesh. The mass of the overall
structure of 14 tons.
 The largest stress due to the combination of load on the
steel rein structure is 211.05 MPa. The maximum
stress value is still smaller when compared with the
stress permitted by ABS by 225 MPa.
 From the calculation of fatigue life of the structure, the
results obtained that the structure of the SeaStation has
the price of D <1 so that the structure can be said safe
with 28 years of fatigue life.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The completion of this journal is inseparable from the help
and the various good parties, so on this occasion I would like
to extend my greatest thanks to: the parents' parents for all
their moral and material support and uninterrupted prayer.
Mr. Nur Syahroni, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. As a supervisor I and
Dr. Eng. Yeyes Mulyadi, S.T., M.Sc. ss a supervisor II who
always patiently guide the author in completing this journal.

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