OrcaFlex Static Debug Skill

Diagnose and resolve OrcaFlex static analysis convergence issues with systematic troubleshooting approaches.

Version Metadata

version: 1.0.0
python_min_version: '3.10'
dependencies:
  orcaflex-modeling: '>=2.0.0,<3.0.0'
orcaflex_version: '>=11.0'
compatibility:
  tested_python:
  - '3.10'
  - '3.11'
  - '3.12'
  - '3.13'
  os:
  - Windows
  - Linux
  - macOS

Changelog

[1.0.0] - 2026-01-17

Added:

• Initial release with comprehensive debugging approaches
• Common error patterns and solutions
• Diagnostic code examples
• Step-by-step troubleshooting guide

When to Use

• OrcaFlex static analysis fails to converge
• Model returns "Statics not converged" error
• Static results show unrealistic values
• Troubleshooting new model configurations
• Debugging catenary line issues
• Investigating vessel connection problems
• Resolving numerical instabilities

Common Error Messages

Diagnostic Workflow

[Static Analysis Failed]
         ↓
[1. Check Error Message]
         ↓
[2. Validate Model Structure]
    ├── Connectivity
    ├── Object positions
    └── Line configurations
         ↓
[3. Check Initial Conditions]
    ├── Tensions
    ├── Lengths
    └── Positions
         ↓
[4. Review Environment]
    ├── Water depth
    ├── Current
    └── Waves (should be off for statics)
         ↓
[5. Adjust Solver Settings]
    ├── Damping
    ├── Tolerance
    └── Iteration limits
         ↓
[6. Incremental Testing]
    ├── Simplify model
    ├── Add components one by one
    └── Identify failing element

Diagnostic Code

Basic Static Diagnosis

import OrcFxAPI
from pathlib import Path

def diagnose_static_failure(model_path: str) -> dict:
    """
    Diagnose why static analysis might be failing.

    Args:
        model_path: Path to OrcaFlex model file

    Returns:
        Dictionary with diagnostic results
    """
    diagnostics = {
        "model_loaded": False,
        "issues": [],
        "warnings": [],
        "recommendations": []
    }

    try:
        model = OrcFxAPI.Model()
        model.LoadData(model_path)
        diagnostics["model_loaded"] = True
    except Exception as e:
        diagnostics["issues"].append(f"Failed to load model: {e}")
        return diagnostics

    # Check environment settings
    general = model.general

    # Wave should be off or very small for statics
    if hasattr(general, 'WaveType'):
        if general.WaveType != "None":
            diagnostics["warnings"].append(
                f"Wave type is '{general.WaveType}' - consider 'None' for statics"
            )

    # Check objects
    for obj in model.objects:
        obj_type = obj.typeName
        obj_name = obj.name

        # Check lines
        if obj_type == "Line":
            check_line(obj, diagnostics)

        # Check vessels
        elif obj_type == "Vessel":
            check_vessel(obj, diagnostics)

        # Check buoys
        elif obj_type in ["6D Buoy", "3D Buoy"]:
            check_buoy(obj, diagnostics)

    # Generate recommendations
    generate_recommendations(diagnostics)

    return diagnostics


def check_line(line, diagnostics: dict):
    """Check line configuration for common issues."""
    name = line.name

    # Check length
    try:
        total_length = sum(line.Length)
        if total_length <= 0:
            diagnostics["issues"].append(
                f"Line '{name}': Total length is {total_length}m (must be > 0)"
            )
    except:
        diagnostics["issues"].append(
            f"Line '{name}': Cannot read length - check Sections"
        )

    # Check connections
    try:
        end_a = line.EndAConnection
        end_b = line.EndBConnection

        if end_a == "Free" and end_b == "Free":
            diagnostics["issues"].append(
                f"Line '{name}': Both ends are Free - must have at least one connection"
            )
    except:
        pass

    # Check line type
    try:
        line_type = line.LineType
        if line_type is None or line_type == "":
            diagnostics["issues"].append(
                f"Line '{name}': No LineType assigned"
            )
    except:
        pass


def check_vessel(vessel, diagnostics: dict):
    """Check vessel configuration."""
    name = vessel.name

    # Check if vessel data is loaded
    try:
        displacement = vessel.Displacement
        if displacement <= 0:
            diagnostics["warnings"].append(
                f"Vessel '{name}': Displacement is {displacement} (check units)"
            )
    except:
        diagnostics["warnings"].append(
            f"Vessel '{name}': Cannot read displacement"
        )


def check_buoy(buoy, diagnostics: dict):
    """Check buoy configuration."""
    name = buoy.name

    # Check position
    try:
        z = buoy.InitialZ
        # Check if buoy is at reasonable depth
        if z > 100:  # Suspiciously high
            diagnostics["warnings"].append(
                f"Buoy '{name}': InitialZ = {z}m - check if this is intended"
            )
    except:
        pass


def generate_recommendations(diagnostics: dict):
    """Generate recommendations based on findings."""
    if diagnostics["issues"]:
        diagnostics["recommendations"].append(
            "Fix all issues before attempting static analysis"
        )

    if len(diagnostics["warnings"]) > 3:
        diagnostics["recommendations"].append(
            "Multiple warnings - consider simplifying model first"
        )

    if not diagnostics["issues"] and not diagnostics["warnings"]:
        diagnostics["recommendations"].append(
            "Model structure looks OK - try adjusting solver settings"
        )

Incremental Static Testing

def test_static_incrementally(model_path: str) -> dict:
    """
    Test static analysis by progressively enabling components.

    Returns which component causes failure.
    """
    model = OrcFxAPI.Model()
    model.LoadData(model_path)

    results = {"tests": [], "failing_component": None}

    # Get all lines
    lines = [obj for obj in model.objects if obj.typeName == "Line"]

    # Disable all lines
    for line in lines:
        line.IncludedInStatics = "No"

    # Test with no lines
    try:
        model.CalculateStatics()
        results["tests"].append({"component": "Base model (no lines)", "passed": True})
    except Exception as e:
        results["tests"].append({"component": "Base model", "passed": False, "error": str(e)})
        results["failing_component"] = "Base model"
        return results

    # Enable lines one by one
    for line in lines:
        line.IncludedInStatics = "Yes"

        try:
            model.CalculateStatics()
            results["tests"].append({"component": f"Line: {line.name}", "passed": True})
        except Exception as e:
            results["tests"].append({
                "component": f"Line: {line.name}",
                "passed": False,
                "error": str(e)
            })
            results["failing_component"] = line.name

            # Disable this line and continue
            line.IncludedInStatics = "No"

    return results

Solver Settings Adjustment

def adjust_solver_for_convergence(model) -> bool:
    """
    Progressively adjust solver settings to achieve convergence.

    Returns True if convergence achieved.
    """
    # Settings to try
    damping_values = [10, 20, 50, 100, 200]
    tolerance_values = [1e-5, 1e-4, 1e-3, 1e-2]

    for damping in damping_values:
        for tolerance in tolerance_values:
            try:
                # Apply settings
                model.general.StaticsDamping = damping
                model.general.StaticsTolerance = tolerance

                # Try statics
                model.CalculateStatics()
                print(f"Converged with Damping={damping}, Tolerance={tolerance}")
                return True

            except OrcFxAPI.OrcaFlexError:
                continue

    print("Failed to converge with any settings combination")
    return False

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Line Catenary Diverged

Symptoms:

• Error mentions "catenary" or "line diverged"
• Specific line name in error message

Causes:

• Line too short for connection points
• Incorrect end positions
• Incompatible line type properties

Solutions:

# Check line geometry
line = model["Failing_Line"]

# Get end positions
end_a_x, end_a_y, end_a_z = line.EndAX, line.EndAY, line.EndAZ
end_b_x, end_b_y, end_b_z = line.EndBX, line.EndBY, line.EndBZ

# Calculate required length (straight line minimum)
import math
min_length = math.sqrt(
    (end_b_x - end_a_x)**2 +
    (end_b_y - end_a_y)**2 +
    (end_b_z - end_a_z)**2
)

total_length = sum(line.Length)
print(f"Minimum length required: {min_length:.1f}m")
print(f"Total line length: {total_length:.1f}m")

if total_length < min_length * 1.1:
    print("Line is too short! Increase length by at least 10%")

2. Vessel Not in Equilibrium

Symptoms:

• "Vessel not in equilibrium"
• Large forces/moments on vessel

Causes:

• Mooring forces don't balance
• Incorrect initial position
• Missing or misconfigured lines

Solutions:

# Option 1: Let OrcaFlex find equilibrium position
vessel:
  IncludedInStatics: "Included"
  CalculatedPosition: "Yes"  # Let OrcaFlex calculate position

# Option 2: Fix vessel position
vessel:
  IncludedInStatics: "Included"
  InitialX: 0.0
  InitialY: 0.0
  InitialZ: 0.0  # At draft

3. Anchor Not at Seabed

Symptoms:

• "End not at seabed"
• Anchor position mismatch

Solutions:

# Ensure anchor is at seabed
water_depth = model.environment.WaterDepth

for line in lines:
    if line.EndAConnection == "Anchored":
        # Set anchor at seabed
        line.EndAZ = -water_depth

    if line.EndBConnection == "Anchored":
        line.EndBZ = -water_depth

4. Buoy/Structure Instability

Symptoms:

• 6D Buoy convergence failure
• Unrealistic rotations

Solutions:

# Add constraints during statics
6DBuoy:
  Name: "CALM_Buoy"
  # Fix orientation during statics
  Constraint1: "Fixed"    # Fix X rotation
  Constraint2: "Fixed"    # Fix Y rotation
  Constraint3: "Free"     # Allow Z rotation (yaw)

5. Zero-Tension Lines

Symptoms:

• Singular stiffness matrix
• Lines with zero or negative tension

Solutions:

# Check initial tensions
for line in lines:
    try:
        # Estimate initial tension from catenary
        weight_in_water = line.MassPerUnitLength * 9.81 * (1 - 1025/7850)
        length = sum(line.Length)

        # Very rough tension estimate
        estimated_tension = weight_in_water * length / 2

        if estimated_tension < 100:  # Very low tension
            print(f"Warning: {line.name} may have low tension")
            print("Consider:")
            print("  - Increasing line length")
            print("  - Adjusting end positions")
            print("  - Adding buoyancy")
    except:
        pass

Solver Settings Reference

Damping Settings

Tolerance Settings

Iteration Limits

general:
  MaxStaticsIterations: 200      # Default is usually 100
  StaticsMinDamping: 0.01
  StaticsMaxDamping: 100

Debug Checklist

Quick Checks

• Water depth is correct
• All lines have valid line types
• End connections are properly defined
• Vessel/buoy initial positions are reasonable
• No objects at exactly the same position
• Waves are disabled for pure statics

Line Checks

• Line lengths exceed minimum span
• Segment lengths are appropriate
• Line type properties are valid (EA, mass, diameter)
• End connections reference existing objects
• Anchor depths match water depth

Vessel/Buoy Checks

• Displacement and draft are correct
• COG position is realistic
• RAO data is loaded (if applicable)
• Connection points are valid

Environment Checks

• Current profile is reasonable
• Water depth matches model
• Seabed elevation is correct

Related Skills

• orcaflex-modeling - Run OrcaFlex simulations
• orcaflex-line-wizard - Configure line properties
• orcaflex-mooring-iteration - Optimize tensions
• catenary-riser - Catenary analysis

References

• OrcaFlex Theory: Static Analysis
• OrcaFlex Help: Troubleshooting
• Orcina Support: Common Statics Issues