Api RP 2a C3.4.3
Api RP 2a C3.4.3
Api RP 2a C3.4.3
The wind criteria for design should be determined by proper analysis of wind data collected in accordance with Section Comm. A.4.2. As with wave loads, wind loads are dynamic in nature, but some structures will respond to them in a nearly static fashion. For conventional fixed steel templates in relatively shallow water, winds are a minor contributor to global loads (typically less than 10 percent). Sustained wind velocities should be used to compute global platform wind loads, and gust velocities should be used for the design of individual structural elements. In deeper water and for compliant designs, wind loads can be significant and should be studied in detail. A dynamic analysis of the platform is indicated when the wind field contains energy at frequencies near the natural frequencies of the platform. Such analyses may require knowledge of the wind turbulence intensity, spectra, and spatial coherence. These items are addressed below.
[RP 2A-LRFD] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Wed May 23 16:26:27 2001)
(C.3-8) where z s = 20m (66 ft.) is the thickness of the "surface layer."
(C.3-9) where S(f) is the spectral energy density at elevation z, f is the frequency in Hertz, and (z ) is the standard deviation of wind speed, i.e., (z ) = I(z )V(1 hr, z ). Measured wind spectra show a wide variation in f about an average value given by (C.3-10) fz/V(1 hr, z) = 0.025 Due to the large range of f in measured spectra, analysis of platform sensitivity to f in the range (C.3-11) 0.01 fz/V(1 hr, z) 0.10 is warranted. It should be noted that f is not at the peak of the dimensional wind energy, since Equation C.3-9 gives the reduced spectrum.
[RP 2A-LRFD] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Wed May 23 16:26:27 2001)
superstructure wind loads associated with maximum wave forces for structures that respond dynamically to wind excitation but which do not require a full dynamic wind analysis. For structures with negligible dynamic response to winds, the one-hour sustained wind is appropriate with maximum wave forces. In frequency domain analyses of dynamic wind loading, it can be conservatively assumed that all scales of turbulence are fully coherent over the entire superstructure.
[RP 2A-LRFD] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Wed May 23 16:26:27 2001)
of the lowest deck should be located at an elevation which will clear the calculated crest of the design wave with adequate allowance for safety. Omnidirectional guideline wave heights with a nominal return period of 100 years, together with the applicable wave theories and wave steepnesses should be used to compute wave crest elevations above storm water level, including guideline storm tide. A safety margin, or air gap, of at least 1.5 m (5 ft.) should be added to the crest elevation to allow for unexpected platform settlement, water depth uncertainty, and for the possibility of extreme waves in order to determine the minimum acceptable elevation of the bottom
[RP 2A-LRFD] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Wed May 23 16:26:27 2001)
beam of the lowest deck to avoid waves striking the deck. An additional airgap should be provided for any known or predicted long term seafloor subsidence. In general, no platform components, piping or equipment should be located below the lower deck in the designated air gap. However, when it is unavoidable to position such items as minor subcellars, sumps, drains or production piping in the air gap, provisions should be made for the wave forces developed on these items. These wave forces may be calculated using the crest pressure of the design wave applied against the projected area. These forces may be considered on a "local" basis in the design of the item. These provisions do not apply to vertical members such as deck legs, conductors, risers, etc., which normally penetrate the air gap.
[RP 2A-LRFD] Copyright by American Petroleum Institute (Wed May 23 16:26:27 2001)