Offshore Structural Design

Detail Engineering
Fixed Platforms

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COMPONENTS OF FIXED PLATFORMS

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Technology in Offshore Structures Design

1. Oceanography  Environment forces due to Wave, Wind, Tide current

and Ice

2. Foundation Engineering  Geotechnical data for design of Piles, Mats and anchors.

3. Structural Engineering
 Materials, Corrosion, welding, Structural analysis,
Fatigue assessment, Fabrication and installation,
Appurtenances provision.
4. Marine Engineering
 Installation equipment, Navigational instrumentation

 Floatation & buoyancy,Towing,Vessel

5. Naval Architecture
stability,Launching,controlled flooding

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DESIGN OF STRUCTURES

In-place Phase (Piles, Jacket ,Deck Integral)

Three types of analysis are performed:
 Survival state----- wave/current/wind attack with 50 or 100
years recurrence period.
 Operational state--- wave/current/wind attack with 1 or 5 years
recurrence period, under full operation.
 Fatigue assessment for design life.
 Accidental.
Above analyses are performed on the complete and intact
structures.
 Assessments at damaged structures, e.g. with one member
deleted, and assessments of collision situations are
occasionally performed.

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 DESIGN OF STRUCTURES(CONTD)

 Majority of structural analyses are

based on the linear theory of elasticity
for total system behaviour.

 Dynamic analysis is performed for the

system behaviour under wave-attack if
the natural period exceeds 3 seconds.

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 STRUCTURE GEOMETRY

Jacket configuration depends

1. Size of deck
2. Water depth
3. Geotechnical reports
4. No. of conductors
5. Appurtanances : They are
Risers , Boat Landing , Barge bumpers

Riser guards, Pumps or Caissons.

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 Environmental Criteria

 Forces imposed on the platform by waves and wind.

 Estimate of force based on
 Water depth

 Tide conditions
 Storm wave height
 storm wind velocity

 Current
 Earthquake (Tsunami)
 Ice Conditions

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CODES AND STANDARDS
 API-RP2A: American Petroleum Institute Recommended practice for
planning, designing and constructing fixed offshore platforms The structural
offshore code,
Regulations of a major certifying authority.
 DnV: Rules for the classification of fixed offshore installations.
 AISC: Specification for the design, fabrication and erection of structural steel
for buildings. American Institute of Steel Construction . Widely used structural
code
 AWS D1.1-90: Structural Welding Code - Steel.
American Welding Society 1990. The structural offshore welding code.
 Marine Operations: Standard for insurance warranty surveys in marine
operations. Regulations of a major certifying authority.
 ABS: Rules for building and classing offshore installations, Part 1 Structures.
American Bureau of Shipping 1983.Regulations of a major certifying
authority.
 BV: Rules and regulations for the construction and classification of offshore
platforms. Bureau Veritas Regulations of a major certifying authority.

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 SOFTWARES

 SACS ---- For both detail & construction Engineering—Analysis and designs.
 GRLWEAP --- Pile drivability
 MS Excell or Mathcad --- For various hand calculations.
 MS Word---- For Report preparations.
 MMS--- Material Management system. Preferably in-house developed.
 Naval Marine softwares

 More elaborate discussion will be made in separate presentation .

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SOME BASICS ON SEA ENVIRONMENT.

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WAVES

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 WAVE FORMATION

 The great majority of large breakers one sees on

an ocean beach result from distant winds. Three
factors influence the formation of "wind waves":
 Wind speed
 Distance of open water that the wind has blown
over; called fetch
 Length of time the wind has blown over a given
area

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 OCEAN WAVES

 Height (from trough to crest)

 Wavelength (from crest to crest)
 Period (time interval between arrival of consecutive crests at a stationary
point)
 Waves in a given area typically have a range of sizes. For weather
reporting and for scientific analysis of wind wave statistics, their size over
a period of time is usually expressed as "significant wave height." This
figure represents the average height of the highest one-third of the waves in
a given time period (usually twelve hours) or in a specific wave or storm
system.
 Given the variability of wave size, the largest individual waves are likely to
be twice the reported significant wave height for a particular day or storm.

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 TYPES OF WIND WAVES
Three different types of wind waves develop over time:

 Ripples : Ripples appear on smooth water when the wind blows, but will die if
the wind stops.
 Seas: Seas are the larger-scale, often irregular motions that form under
sustained winds. They tend to last much longer, even after the wind has died,
and the restoring force that allows them to persist is gravity.
 Swells :As seas propagate away from their area of origin, they naturally
separate according to their direction and wavelength. The regular wave
motions formed in this way are known as swells.
 Some waves undergo a phenomenon called "breaking". A breaking wave is
one whose base can no longer support its top, causing it to collapse. A wave
breaks when it runs into shallow water.
 Waves can also break if the wind grows strong enough to blow the crest off
the base of the wave.

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WAVES

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BREAKING WAVES

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PLUNGING WAVES FORMING TUBE

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 TERMINOLOGY

On a spatial (or distance) scale (usually measured in meters)

1. Wave length: horizontal distance between two adjacent crests (or troughs,
for that matter) is defined as the wave length (L)
2. Wave height : vertical distance from the top of the crest to the bottom of
the adjacent trough is defined as the wave height (H). On a temporal (or
time) scale (usually measured in seconds)
3. Wave period : the time that it takes for two consecutive crests to pass a
fixed point is defined as the wave period (T). The inverse of the period is
the wave frequency (f), which is a measure of the number of times one
complete wave will occur per unit time [with dimensions of cycles per
second -- where 1 cycle per second is defined as 1 hertz (Hz)].
4. Wave celerity: speed with which a wave crest moves horizontally across
the ocean surface is defined as wave celerity (c) or phase speed, and is
usually measured in meters per second.

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WAVE THEORIES

Wave theories yield the information on wave motion like water particles kinematic and
wave speed, using the input information of wave height, its period and depth of water at
the site.
There are more than a dozen different theories available in this regard. However, only a few
of them that are more commonly used are described below:
All wave theories involve some common assumptions, viz,
1. The waves have regular profiles.
2. The flow is two-dimensional.
3. The wave propagation is unidirectional.
4. The fluid is ideal i.e. inviscid, incompressible and irrotational.
5. The sea bed is impermeable and horizontal.
All wave theories can be categorised into two types:
(i) Linear or Airy's (or Sinusoidal or Small Amplitude) wave theory
(ii) Non-Linear (or Finite Amplitude) wave theories.

Linear wave theory is distinguished from the latter in that it assumes that the waves are
flatter with the steepness ratio small (typically < 2%).

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WAVE DISPERSION

 As we learned above, the celerity (c) of a deep water wave is

directly proportional to the length (L) or period (T) of the wave;
therefore, longer waves travel faster than shorter waves. This has
some interesting consequences. As a first example, suppose you
tossed a large rock into a pond. The immediate result of this is a
turbulent splash and the creation of many impact waves of various
wavelengths all mixed up together. After just a few seconds,
however, if you look closely you will see concentric rings of
circular waves propagating away from the center and you will note
that the longest waves are out in front of the next longest wave,
which is out in front of the third longest wave, etc. In other words,
the longest waves outrun the shorter waves and order is created
out of chaos. This sorting of waves by wavelength is called wave
dispersion.

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 Dispersion Relation

Wave frequency w is related to wave number k

by the dispersion relation (Lamb, 1932 §228):
 ω 2 = g k tanh (kd)
 (16.3)
 where d is the water depth and g is the
acceleration of gravity.

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 Waves and wave loading

 Two approaches for wave loads on an offshore

structure considered

design wave method

Spectral analysis method

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DESIGN WAVE METHOD

Selecting a wave of a given period and height

which represents the maximum wave occurring
for certain environmental conditions.
Selection of a wave period usually 50 or 100
years
(which has a return period of a particular
number of years)

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SPECTRAL ANALYSIS METHOD

This second approach allows us to obtain results

for maximum stresses,displacements, etc,of the
offshore installation within a certain confidence
level.

In general, the spectral/probabilistic approach is

to be preferred particularly in situations where
fatigue assessment is important.

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WAVE THEORY SELECTION

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If this record is considered as summation of
periodic functions, it is possible to relate the
energy of the waves to the frequency of the
components.

This distribution of energy over the frequency

range is described by the WAVE
SPECTRUM.

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Pierson-Moskowitz Spectrum
(P-M Spectrum)

This spectrum derived from measurements

taken in the North Atlantic Ocean for fully
developed seas.

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The General Formula:

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The spectrum can also be expressed in terms of the
significant wave height (H1/3)
& the mean zero crossing frequency (ωz) as

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 JONSWAP Spectrum

Derived from extensive observations carried

out in the North Atlantic. More representative
than the P-M model.

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 Wave Statistics

Various probabilistic estimates can be made for

wave heights and wave periods from the wave
spectrum.

We need to define the moments of the

spectrum.m0, m1….etc.,

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 Current Loading

Can induce forces on ocean structures of

significant magnitude.
currents coincide directionally with the wind
waves.
They may also cause siltation or erosion of the
sea - bed.
The theoretical understanding often inadequate for design
purpose .
“ in-situ” measurements are consequently required.

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EFFECT OF CURRENT

Generation of vortices.

Gives rise to fluctuating drag and lift forces.

Can cause substantial structural vibrations.

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 Current
 Even small current in magnitude have a significant effect.
 Have influence on the movement of floating structures and
moorings.
 Change the characteristics of waves. Exert horizontal
structures and develop uplift or down drag forces on
horizontal surfaces.
 Create eddy patterns around structures.
 Current may create scour channels and deposition.
 Vertical currents decrease with depth as a parabolic function.
 Steady state current velocities just above the seafloor are
almost as high as those nearer the surface.

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 Different types of Currents:
 Oceanic circulation
 Geostrophic
 Tidal
 Wind-driven
 Wave-induced
 Density currents
 Due to nearby river discharge
Some of these may superimpose.

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 These major currents may occasionally or
periodically, spin off eddies and branches.
 Strong currents may occur many miles and
even to shore.

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 Tidal Currents

 Tidal current may follow a cycle.

 Normally tidal currents are stratified vertically.
 Lower water may be flowing in upper water
may be flowing out.
 This noticeable where tidal currents are
combined with river currents like fresh water
of lower density overlies heavier sea water.

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 In deep water currents are generated by

Internal Waves
Geostrophic forces
Deeply promulgated eddies

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 Important to note
 Current may have vertical and horizontal
components.
 Direction of currents often varies with depth.
 Strong currents may cause vortex shedding, on
risers and piles.
 Vibration of wire lines and pipe lines can
result in score in shallow water.
 Can also result in cyclic transverse forces and
in extreme cases can lead to fatigue.
 Over lying effects on the cylinder walls.

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 Tides and Storm Surges

Tides result from the gravitational pull of the

moon and the sun.
Moon exerts more pull because it is nearer to
earth when compared to sun.

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Spring tides:
Happens when sun and moon are in line.

Neap tides:
When the sun and moon are 90deg apart.

Mean lower low water (MLLW)

average of the low-water elevations during spring

tides.

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 Lowest astronomical tide (LAT)

Typically there are two tidal cycles each a day.

One of these two tides will have significantly

greater range

Higher high tide

Lower low tide

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These tidal cycles appear to follow the sun.
Peaks occur about the same time each day.
The above data is published one or two years
in advance for a ref location.
Local bathymetry also influences
Tidal ranges vary significantly depending on
location.

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 WIND LOADING:

All surfaces piercing ocean structuture will be subjected

to wind forces.

In any design wind data is required to be considered to

the location of interest.

Normally 100 years data is referred.

Wind forces on bodies exposed to a wind of uniform

velocity (V w) can be calculated by using the
relationship:
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 Loads on the structure....
However the occurrence of gusts is somewhat sporadic,
they are unlikely to give rise to resonance effect in the
structure.
 The drag coefficient (C D,C L ) estimated on the basis of
wind tunnel model with allowances for the effects of
solidification and sheltering causes by grouping effect of
individual member.
 Variation of wind speed in the form of gusts could
impose dynamic loads.This is ignored in offshore
structural design in general.

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END OF PART-1

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FOUNDATION DESIGNS(PILES)

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 FOUNDATION DESIGNS
 Pile-through-leg concept, where the pile is installed
in the corner legs of the jacket.
 Skirt piles through pile sleeves at the jacket-base,
where the pile is installed in guides attached to the
jacket leg. Skirt piles can be grouped in clusters
around each of the jacket legs.
 Vertical skirt piles are directly installed in the pile
sleeve at the jacket base; all other guides are deleted.
This arrangement results in reduced structural
weight and easier pile driving. In contrast inclined
piles enlarge the foundation at the bottom, thus
providing a stiffer structure.

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 PILE BEARING RESISTANCE

 Axial load resistance is required for bearing as well as for tension.

The pile accumulates both skin friction as well as end bearing
resistance.
 Lateral load resistance of the pile is required for restraint of the
horizontal forces. These forces lead to significant bending of the
pile near to the seabed.
 Number, arrangement, diameter and penetration of the piles
depend on the environmental loads and the soil conditions at the
location.

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CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS
 The stratigraphy of the sea bed results from a complex geological process
during which various materials were deposited, remoulded and pressed
together.
 Soil texture consists of small mineral or organic particles basically
characterized by their grain size and mutual interaction (friction, cohesion).
The properties of a specific soil depend mainly on the following factors:
 density.
 water content.
 over consolidation ratio.
For design purposes soil behaviour is expressed in terms of two fundamental
parameters:
 friction angle.
 undrained shear strength Cu.
Since the least significant of either of these parameters is often neglected, soils
can be classified within "ideal" categories:
 granular soils.
 cohesive soils.
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1.2 Granular Soils
Granular soils are non-plastic soils with negligible cohesion between
particles. They include:
sands : characterized by large to medium particle sizes (1mm to
0,05mm) offering a high permeability,
silts : characterized by particle sizes between 0,05 and 0,02mm;
they are generally over-consolidated; they may exhibit some
cohesion

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1.3 Cohesive Soils
Clays are plastic soils with particle sizes
less than 0,002mm which tend to stick
together; their permeability is low.
1.4 Multi-Layered Strata
The nature and characteristics of the soil
surrounding a pile generally vary with the
depth. For analysis purposes, the soil is
divided into several layers, each having
constant properties throughout. The
number of layers depends on the precision
required of the analysis.

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PILE CAPACITY
Static Axial Pile Resistance
The overall resistance of the pile against axial force is the
sum of shaft friction and end bearing.
Lateral friction along the shaft (shaft friction)
Skin friction is mobilized along the shaft of the tubular pile
(and possibly also along the inner wall when the soil plug
is not removed).
The unit shaft friction:
for sands: is proportional to the overburden pressure,
for clays: is calculated by the "alpha" or "lambda" method
and is a constant equal to the shear strength Cu at great
depth.
Lateral friction is integrated along the whole penetration
of the pile.

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PILE CAPACITY (CONTD)
End bearing
End bearing is the resultant of bearing pressure over the
gross end area of the pile, i.e. with or without the area of
plug if relevant.
The bearing pressure:
for clays: is equal to 9 ´ Cu.
for sands: is proportional to the overburden pressure as
explained in Section of API-RP2A .

Pile penetration
The pile penetration shall be sufficient to generate
enough friction and bearing resistance against the
maximum design compression multiplied by the
appropriate factor of safety. No bearing resistance can
be mobilized against pull-out: the friction available
must be equated to the pull out force multiplied by the
appropriate factor of safety.

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 PILE CAPACITY (CONTD)

Lateral Pile Resistance

The shear at the mudline caused by environmental loads is
resisted by lateral bearing of the pile on the soil. This action
may generate large deformations and high bending moments
in the part of the pile directly below the mudline, particularly
in soft soils.
P-y curves
P-y curves represent the lateral soil resistance versus
deflection. The shape of these curves varies with the depth
and the type of soil at the considered elevation. The general
shape of the curves for increasing displacement features:
elastic (linear) behaviour for small deflections,
elastic/plastic behaviour for medium deflections,
constant resistance for large deflections or loss of resistance
when the soil skeleton deteriorates (clay under cyclic load in
particular).

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PILE DESIGNS

Lateral pile analysis

For analysis purposes, the soil is modelled
as lumped non-linear springs distributed
along the pile. The fourth order differential
equation which expresses the pile
deformation is integrated by successive
iterations, the secant stiffness of the soil
springs being updated at each step.
For large deformations, the second order
contribution of the axial compression to the
bending moment (P-Delta effect) shall be
taken into account.

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 PILE DRIVING
Piles are installed by driving are forced into the soil by a ram hitting
the top. The impact is transmitted along the pile in the form of a
wave, which reflects on the pile tip. The energy is progressively lost
by plastic friction on the sides and bearing at the tip of the pile.
Empirical formulae
A considerable number of empirical formulae exist to predict pile
driveability. Each formula is generally limited to a particular type of
soil and hammer.
Wave equation
This method of analysing the driving process consists of
representing the ensemble of pile/soil/hammer as a one-
dimensional assembly of masses, springs and dashpots:
the pile is modelled as a discrete assembly of masses and elastic
springs.
the soil is idealized as a massless medium characterized by elastic-
perfectly-plastic springs and linear dashpots.
the hammer is modelled as a mass falling with an initial velocity.
the cushion is represented by a weightless spring .
the pile cap is represented by a mass of infinite rigidity
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STRUCTURAL DESIGN(CONT.)

Model preparation

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COMPUTER MODEL PREPARATION- JACKETS
Jacket structure shall be modelled as a 3D space frame. All primary and secondary
 tubular members shall be modelled.
 Risers & Caissons shall be modelled as structural elements that attract wave loads
 (without contribution to the jacket stiffness). They should be linked to the jacket in
 a way that is consistent with their guide and anchor arrangements.
 Conductors shall be modelled down to mudline level where they can be assumed
 pinned. Linear dependencies shall be provided at relevant guide levels such that
 conductors do not contribute to the structural stiffness of the jacket.
 Boat landing primary members shall be modelled such that they attract wave
 loads. The effects of secondary members shall be considered by modelling
 additional masses and modifying the hydrodynamic coefficients of primary
 members. Boat landing models shall be connected to the jacket models such that
 they correctly reflect the state of the connection/releases between two structures.

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COMPUTER MODEL PREPARATION- JACKET(CONTD.)

 Jacket Appurtenances including mudmats, anodes, walkways,

ladders and fenders shall be modelled as either structural
masses or increased density on associated members. The
contribution of these members to hydrodynamic forces shall
be considered by modifying drag and mass coefficients of
main members
 Grouted pile sleeves and members with ring stiffeners shall be
modelled as equivalent members with similar stiffness and
correct structural mass.
 Joint eccentricities shall be modelled based on the
requirements of API-RP2A .

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 INPUTS REQUIREMENT

Design basis giving:

Life of structures
Environmental parameters
Marine Growth
Inter discipline loads
Materials of construction
Geotechnical reports
Construction procedures
Accidental loads basis

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 LOAD DATA REQUIREMENT

Environment
 water depth at location
 soil, at sea bottom and in-depth
 wind speed, air temperature
 waves, tide and storm surge, current
 ice (fixed, floes, icebergs) (not applicable for this part of
world)
 Earthquakes
 Deck loads (Operating & Extreme)
 Dead loads,
 Live Loads,
 Equipment Loads

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 TYPICAL DATA
Design life 25 years
Wind loads Inplace of Jacket ---- 1Hr average
Deck Inplace ---------- 1 Min Average
Modules/Frame local- 3Sec Gust
Cantelever struct ----- 3 Sec Gust
Zones: Atmospheric ----- +6.00 upwards
Splash ----- -1.8 to +6.0
Submerged ------ -1.8 to Mudline
Platform location Northing Easting Reference Point
Water depth 55.0 m from MSL
Lowest Astronomical Tide ----- -0.183m

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Extreme Storm Parameters (Typical)

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OPERATING STORM PARAMETERS

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ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS FOR INSTALLATION CONDITION

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ENVORMENTAL PARAMETERS FOR FATIGUE DESIGN

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WAVE EXCEEDANCE DATA (FATIGUE DESIGN)

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 Material Properties

Design properties of steel shall be taken as follows:

 Density (ρ) 7850 kg/m3
 Modulus of Elasticity (E) 210 x 106 kN/m2
 Shear Modulus (G) 80.9 x 106 kN/m2
 Poisson’s Ratio (ν) 0.3
 Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (α) 12.0 x 10 –6 /°C

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 Material properties of the steel with yield strengths

Member Category Material Type Yield Strength (MPa)

Joint Cans BS 7191 355 EMZ 345

355  16mm
Tubulars BS 7191 355D/E
345, 16 < T < 40

Tubulars API-5L-Gr.B 241

Main Beams W24 x 104

BS 7191 355D/E 345
W24 x 76

Secondary Beams ASTM A-36 248

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CATHODIC PROTECTION

All jacket members below the water line shall be

protected against corrosion using
sacrificial anodes. The protection system shall be
designed based on the requirements of DNV-RP
B401
Anode properties as per specification

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CORROSION ALLOWANCE

Additional wall thickness in the form of corrosion allowance shall be

provided for the jacket members in the splash zone
 Jacket legs, bracing, conductor and caissons 12mm
 Pipe casings and sump caissons (wrapped) 12mm wrapped plate
 Fenders, bumpers and boat landing members 6 mm

Note: The extra thickness for corrosion allowance shall not be included in
calculating
 stresses in members or joints. For these members/joints, the allowance
shall be
 deducted from the outside diameter of the tube. In general, the tubular
member wall
 thickness in the splash zone shall not be less than 25mm.
 Alternatively Monel sheathing provided in Splash zones.

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LOADS
 The following loads shall be considered when a platform is in permanent condition:
 Dead Loads: Weight of the platform structure and appurtenances, permanent
 equipment and pipes, dead weight of modules, cranes and helideck.
 Functional Loads: Loads induced by platform operation like weight of the liquids in
 pipes/tanks, thermal loads, drilling loads, loads induced by helicopter landing and
 vessel mooring, dynamic loads due to vibration of equipment and loads due to crane
 operation.
 Live Loads: Weight of the personnel, movable equipment and loads due to material
 handling.
 Environmental Loads: Loads induced by the action of waves, currents, winds,
 earthquake, and temperature fluctuations.
 Accidental Loads: Loads induced by accidental vessel collision, fire, explosion, wave
 slam and dropped objects.

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TYPICAL DECK LOADING

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 WAVE LOADS

The wave loading of an offshore structure is usually the most

important of all environmental loadings for which the
structure must be designed. The forces on the structure are
caused by the motion of the water due to the waves which are
generated by the action of the wind on the surface of the sea.
Determination of these forces requires idealisation of the wave
surface profile and the wave kinematics given by an
appropriate wave theory. The computation of the wave forces
on individual members and on the total structure, from the
fluid motion.

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 CURRENT LOADS

There are tidal, circulation and storm generated currents.

When insufficient data in criteria, current velocities may
be obtained from various sources, e.g. Appendix A of
DNV. In platform design, the effects of current
superimposed on waves are taken into account by adding
the corresponding fluid velocities vectorially. For slender
members, cyclic loads induced by vortex shedding may
also be important and should be examined locally.

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 OTHER PARAMETERS
 Marine Growth
Marine growth is accumulated on submerged members. Its main effect is
to increase the wave forces on the members by increasing not only
exposed areas and volumes, but also the drag coefficient due to higher
surface roughness. In addition, it increases the unit mass of the member,
resulting in higher gravity loads and in lower member frequencies.
Marine growth consideration +3.00m to -30.00 m 10 cm
-30.0m to Mudline 5 cm
 Tides
Tides affect the wave and current loads indirectly, i.e. through the
variation of the level of the sea surface. The tides are classified as: (a)
astronomical tides
(b) storm surges - caused by the combined action of wind and barometric
pressure differentials during a storm. The combined effect of the two
types of tide is called the storm tide.

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 EARTHQUAKE LOADS
Offshore structures in seismic regions are typically designed
for two levels of earthquake intensity:
The strength level and the ductility level earthquake. For the
strength level earthquake, defined as having a "reasonable
likelihood of not being exceeded during the platform's life"
(mean recurrence interval ~ 200 - 500 years), the structure is
designed to respond elastically. For the ductility level
earthquake, defined as close to the "maximum credible
earthquake" at the site, the structure is designed for inelastic
response and to have adequate reserve strength to avoid
collapse.

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 LOADOUT FORCES

These are forces generated when the jacket is loaded from the fabrication
yard onto the barge. If loadout is done by skidding the structure onto the
barge, a number of static loading conditions must be considered, with the
jacket supported on its side. Such loading conditions arise from the
different positions of the jacket during the loadout phases, from movement
of the barge due to tidal fluctuations and from possible support settlements.
Since movement of the jacket is slow, all loading conditions can be taken
as static. Typical values of friction coefficients for calculation of skidding
forces are the following:
 steel on steel without lubrication............................................ 0,25
 steel on steel with lubrication................................................. 0,15
 steel on teflon......................................................................... 0,10
 teflon on teflon........................................................................ 0,08

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 WEIGHT CONTROL

A detailed weight control report shall be developed, maintained

and updated throughout the jacket design. The report shall include
detailed weight, centre of gravity and summary reports. The
reports shall contain (but not limited) to the following
information:
 Dry Weight
 Operating Weight
 Load-out Weight
 Transportation Weight
 Lift Weight
 Maximum Allowable Lift weight

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 LIFTING FORCES

Lifting forces are functions of the weight of the structural component being lifted, the
number and location of lifting eyes used for the lift, the angle between each sling and
the vertical axis and the conditions under which the lift is performed . All members and
connections of a lifted component must be designed for the forces resulting from static
equilibrium of the lifted weight and the sling tensions. API-RP2A recommends that in
order to compensate for any side movements, lifting eyes and the connections to the
supporting structural members should be designed for the combined action of the static
sling load and a horizontal force equal to 5% this load, applied perpendicular to the
padeye at the centre of the pin hole. All these design forces are applied as static loads if
the lifts are performed in the fabrication yard. If, however, the lifting derrick or the
structure to be lifted is on a floating vessel, then dynamic load factors should be applied
to the static lifting forces. Lifts made offshore API-RP2A recommends two minimum
values of dynamic load factors: 2,0 and 1,35. The first is for designing the padeyes as
well as all members and their end connections framing the joint where the padeye is
attached, while the second is for all other members transmitting lifting forces..

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TRANSPORTATION FORCES

 These forces are generated when platform components

(jacket, deck) are transported offshore on barges or self-
floating. They depend upon the weight, geometry and
support conditions of the structure (by barge or by
buoyancy) and also on the environmental conditions
(waves, winds and currents) that are encountered during
transportation. The types of motion that a floating
structure may experience are shown schematically in
Figure 3. 

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 TRANSPORTATION FORCES………

Transportation forces are generated by the motion of the tow, i.e. the structure
and supporting barge. They are determined from the design winds, waves and
currents. If the structure is self-floating, the loads can be calculated directly.
According to API-RP2A [3], towing analyses must be based on the results of
model basin tests or appropriate analytical methods and must consider wind
and wave directions parallel, perpendicular and at 45° to the tow axis. Inertial
loads may be computed from a rigid body analysis of the tow by combining roll
and pitch with heave motions, when the size of the tow, magnitude of the sea
state and experience make such assumptions reasonable. For open sea
conditions, the following may be considered as typical design values:
 Single - amplitude roll: 20°
 Single - amplitude pitch: 10°
 Period of roll or pitch: 10 second
 Heave acceleration: 0,2 g

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END OF STRUCTURAL DESIGN

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