Use the Drag and Inertia Coefficients form to define drag and inertia coefficients for a specified number of vertical elevations. The data can then be used to calculate the wave forces acting on a structure.
Drag and Inertia Coefficient Name edit box. Use the default or enter a new name in this edit box.
Number of Elevations edit box. Input the number of vertical elevations at which the drag and inertia coefficient data are specified.
Drag and Inertia Coefficient Data spreadsheet. After a value has been entered in the Number of Elevations edit box and the Enter key on your keyboard has been depressed or another text box on the form has been clicked, the number of rows in the Drag and Inertia Coefficient Data spreadsheet will change to match the value specified in the Number of Elevations edit box.
Input the vertical elevation (measured from the datum) and drag and inertia coefficients at each data point in descending vertical elevation order. Clicking the Order Rows button will reorder the data. Note, however, that the program will automatically reorder the data in descending vertical elevation order when you click the OK button to close the form.
The drag and inertia coefficient values used at a particular vertical elevation are linearly interpolated from the specified data.
The drag and inertia coefficients are used in Morison’s equation when calculating the wave forces acting on the structure. By default, a wave load is specified to have API Default drag and inertia coefficients. The values for the API Default drag and inertia coefficients depend on whether the location considered is above or below the specified high tide elevation, as shown in the following table.
Location |
Drag Coefficient |
Inertia Coefficient |
Above High Tide Elevation (Smooth) |
0.65 |
1.6 |
Below or At High Tide Elevation (Smooth) |
1.05 |
1.2 |
See Also
Access the Drag and Inertia Coefficients form as follows:
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