It is important to understand the trajectory of structure in launching process because of the short time of launching process may result in unexpected accidents or damage to structures. The high risk of structural failure is not avoidable without the fully comprehension of changing forces in launching procedure. The commercial software can evaluate the motion of launching event in calm water condition but there is the limitation of research application because of the programmed commercial software. The launching process of the spar hull is suggested with stage concept that is divided into 10 stages in time domain. A force equilibrium diagram is derived for each stage where the changes of force vector and motion characteristics take place. In particular, the effects of changes in buoyancy and drag force due to the progressive submergence of the spar hull are taken into account by means of a touch length concept. The results contained in this paper provide the valuable information of the trajectory motion evaluation with suggested methods in spar launching process with sliding barge. Furthermore, the presented stage concept and touch length concept will provide basic knowledge for understanding launching process and help to develop further research area for launching analysis.

• Jong-Hyun Lee