Katrine PHD Thesis
Katrine PHD Thesis
Katrine PHD Thesis
m
Mass modier, see section 6.5
Reliability index, frequency ratio T
n
/T, translation of yield surface,
integration parameter
Integration parameter
Strain
Sea surface elevation
max
Crest height
Phase angle (wave)
Uncertainty parameter, size of plastic increment
Ductility ratio, statistic mean value
Damping ratio (relative to critical damping)
Total potential
Sea water density
Stress, standard deviation
Deected shape, shape function
Shape function matrix, cumulative standard normal distribution
Circular frequency
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 General
There are more than 9000 xed offshore platforms around the world related to hydrocarbon
production, the largest numbers of platforms are located in South East Asia, Gulf of Mexico
and the North Sea followed by the coast of India, Nigeria, Venezuela and the Mediterranean
Sea. The majority of the worlds platforms have been designed according to the different edi-
tions of Recommended Practice by The American PetroleumInstitute (API), which until 1993
have been in Working Stress Design (WSD) format. The 20th edition (1993) was also issued
in Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) format, and was in 1997 supplemented with
a section on requalication of offshore structures. However, from the mid seventies, Norwe-
gian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in Norway and Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain developed their own set of rules, which replaced the
API recommendations relating to design of structures for petroleum exploitation in the North
Sea. Pemex / IMP issued their own rules for Mexican Waters in 1997 / 1998 (Pemex / IMP,
1998), including requirements for requalication of structures.
Approximately one third of existing platforms are reaching the end of their design life. De-
sired extension of service life may create a need for requalication of a structure. Other
circumstances can also necessitate a requalication process on an earlier stage in the design
life, be it seabed subsidence caused by reservoir compaction, increased topside weight or op-
erational loads, revised environmental criteria
1
, reduced capacity due to damage, corrosion
or deterioration, increased knowledge about material behaviour or new information on soil
properties achieved during driving of piles. A requalication process may also be needed as
a consequence of structural damage caused by, for instance, extreme weather or boat impact.
Requalication can be explained as approving a structure for its (new) purpose and con-
ditions, including smaller or larger modications if needed. The process of requalication
1
Following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, updating of criteria is again a topic for discussion amongst experts
(Mouawad, 2005)
1
2 1 Introduction
of the marine structures in an area often starts with a very simplied evaluation of a larger
number of structures, proceeding to more detailed analyses for those structures that do not
fulll relevant code requirements when being subject to simplied evaluation methods.
If a structure fails to fulll the requirements during the reassessment process, there are several
alternatives for mitigation, such as removal of weight from topside or removal of conductors,
marine growth etc. to reduce environmental loads. The most obvious methods are maybe
those aiming to strengthen the most exposed parts of the structure, e.g. strengthening of joints
by grouting or use of clamps or repair of fatigue cracks in joints. Raising of deck level to an
appropriate height, where wave loads onto the deck are unlikely, is another measure that can
be considered as the outcome of a requalication process (Gudmestad, 2000). This was done
for several platforms on the Ekosk eld in 1987. To control propagation of fatigue cracks
that are not yet critical, or to detect new ones, one can implement inspection and monitoring
as part of the requalication. Complete demanning of platforms in order to reduce failure
consequences as well as weather dependent demanning related to extreme weather hazards
that can be predicted or observed in advance are methods that are in use in for instance Gulf
of Mexico.
1.2 Extreme weather hazards
The extreme weather environment may have major implications for exposed marine struc-
tures.
Local and global damage as well as toppling of xed structures in the Gulf of Mexico have
been reported after e.g. hurricanes Hilda in 1964, Camille in 1969, Carmen in 1974, Andrew
in 1992, Roxanne in 1995 (Bea et al., 2001) and hurricane Ivan in 2004 (e.g. Sgouros et al.,
2005; Wisch et al., 2005). A number of these incidents can most probable be attributed to
wave impact on the topside structure.
In late August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans with disastrous con-
sequences. On its way through the Gulf of Mexico prior to landfall it passed through areas
with high density of pipelines and xed and oating installations related to hydrocarbon ex-
ploitation. More than 700 platforms and rigs were evacuated prior to the hurricane. At the
time of writing, exact assessments of the consequences are not yet carried out. However,
visual assessments have indicated that 58 installations have been displaced, damaged or lost
(http://www.rigzone.com). Substantial topside damage is explicitly reported for one deep
water tension leg platform (TLP). Based on the preliminary assessments of consequences to
the hydrocarbon industry, Hurricane Katrina is expected to be the most expensive hurricane
for this industry in the American history.
There also exists observations of structural damage caused by large waves to oating and
xed installations in the North Sea (Kvitrud and Leonhardsen, 2001). In January 1995, the
deck of the semisubmersible platform Veslefrikk B was hit by a large wave from underneath,
resulting in local damage. In the Ekosk area, of which the seaoor now has subsided consid-
erably (in the range of 10 m), there has been several damage incidents since the beginning of
the 1980s that are known or presumed to have been caused by wave hitting topside structures.
1.3 The wave-in-deck problem 3
When Hurricane Ivan in mid September 2004 travelled across the Gulf of Mexico and gen-
erated the largest waves ever recorded in that area, it caused extensive seaoor mudows
(Hooper and Suhayda, 2005). They were initiated at the Mississippi delta front, to which
many of the Gulf of Mexico pipelines are directed. The size of mudslides implied a major
(temporary) disruption of a signicant part of the United States hydrocarbon supplies. As of
early September 2005, it is not yet clear if Hurricane Katrina has caused similar mudslides,
but it will not be surprising if that is the case.
1.3 The wave-in-deck problem
Reservoir compaction and consequently subsidence of the seaoor is seen at e.g. the Ekosk
and Valhall elds (chalk reservoirs) in the Southern North Sea. The subsidence of the Ekosk
eld was slightly less than 40 cm / year until 1999 and has since then been some 15 cm / year,
adding up to almost 10 meters (Madland, 2005), whereas the Valhall eld has subsided about
5 meters (Fjells a, 2005). The xed surface piercing structures on these two elds are mainly
of the steel space frame type, so-called jackets. Recently, it has become clear that also the
Statfjord eld (sandstone reservoir) with its concrete gravity base structures (GBS) in the
Northern North Sea might experience some seabed subsidence due to extended exploitation
of the hydrocarbon reserves through depletion of the gas in the elds gas cap (Stansberg
et al., 2004).
Observed or anticipated seabed subsidence and / or revised environmental criteria may for
xed platforms result in a need for taking an airgap extinction into account, of which one
consequence can be extreme waves impacting the topside structure. This is frequently re-
ferred to as wave-in-deck loading. Since seaoor subsidence and an apparent increase in
design wave height in the Gulf of Mexico, which are the main triggers for wave-in-deck
considerations for xed structures, until recently have been related to hydrocarbon elds of
which the majority of the xed installations are jacket structures, the issue of wave-in-deck
loading has mainly been investigated in connection with such platforms. It is the jacket type
of platforms that is dealt with in this thesis.
1.4 Jacket platforms subjected to wave-in-deck loading
A wave-in-deck load itself is preceded by an increasing loading on the jacket structure below
the topside caused by the approaching wave crest. When the crest strikes the platform deck,
a load that is more or less impulse like, depending on the deck conguration, will act on deck
level. The remains of the wave crest will pass the jacket after the initiation of the wave-in-
deck loading, and thus the external loading will remain at a high level for a while or might
even continue to increase also after the peak topside load.
A wave that reaches and strikes the deck may to generate forces exceeding the elastic, static
capacity of the platform. According to static analysis theory the consequence may be perma-
nent deformations. State-of-practice for (re)assessment of xed steel platforms subjected to
4 1 Introduction
extreme wave loading is to use non-linear structural pushover analysis (e.g. ISO/CD 19902,
2001) to determine the capacity of the load-bearing system as a whole, allowing for local
damages that do not lead to global failure. However, this is a static approach that ignores
dynamic effects of possible importance such as inertia- and damping response and dynamic
amplication.
Dynamic effects in relation to jacket structures have been investigated by e.g. Stewart (1992),
Dalane and Haver (1995), Schmucker (1996), Moan et al. (1997), Emami Azadi (1998) and
HSE (1998). However, more attention needs to be paid to the dynamic structural behaviour
of jackets subjected to extreme wave loading including wave-in-deck loading with relevant
phasing relative to the wave loading on the jacket. This topic is the overall subject of this
thesis. It should be noted that extreme waves may be associated with a storm surge reducing
the airgap and it is assumed that this effect is taken into account prior to analysis of wave-in-
deck loading.
1.5 The present doctoral work
1.5.1 Summary
The aim of the present work is:
To improve the understanding of the dynamic effects of wave-in-deck loading on the
response of jacket platforms and, based on that, present results on jacket response and
capacity to withstand wave-in-deck loads for the benet of the structural engineering
community.
To evaluate simplied methods for calculation of wave-in-deck load magnitude and time
history, with basis in existing work.
To investigate the use of a simplied model to predict response to wave-in-deck loading.
The model is a single degree of freedom (SDOF) type of model that utilises results,
i.e. load-displacement or resistance curves, from nonlinear static pushover analysis to
calculate dynamic response. The SDOF model used herein is not to be confused with
e.g. commonly used generalised SDOF models.
In order to investigate the dynamic response, both the above mentioned simplied model and
nite element models are used. The models are subjected to wave time histories where an
impulse-like wave-in-deck load history is applied with realistic phasing relative to the wave
loading on the jacket structure below. The simplied model is evaluated by comparing the
computed response with the response obtained by use of nite element computations.
Although not being the main subject of this work, the SDOF model requires some explicit
attention. The model was originally intended for use during reassessment of existing jacket
structures subjected to wave-in-deck loading, a loading condition which may imply non-
linear response. The basis for the model is therefore (nonlinear) structural properties that
1.5 The present doctoral work 5
are normally a part of the existing jacket documentation, that is to say the nonlinear load-
displacement curves or resistance curves corresponding to a given (wave) load scenario, as
obtained from static pushover analysis.
It is emphasised that the SDOF model presented herein is meant to represent an approxima-
tion of the dynamic response. The complexity of including both variation in load distribu-
tion and plastic behaviour in an exact calculation model would not justify the description
simplied model. Note that in simplied analysis of purely elastic problems, varying load
distribution can be handled by use of e.g. a generalised SDOF model or modal analysis.
The following limitations apply:
The magnitude and time variation of wave-in-deck loading is based on interpretation of
existing work.
The wave loading is based on the use of regular waves.
Vertical loads are not attended to in the structural analyses.
Damping is not included in the structural analyses.
The main contributions from this work are:
An improved understanding of the dynamic response mechanisms during wave-in-deck
loading.
Identication of the main causes of improved dynamic performance compared to static
when exposed to wave-in-deck loading, being the variation in load distribution immedi-
ately prior to wave impact on deck and the ductility reserves beyond ultimate capacity of
the structure.
It is shown that ductile North Sea jackets may be able to resist considerable wave-in-deck
loading although initially not designed for that.
Since we cannot change the nature of the wave loading, it is, as a consequence-reducing
measure in the case of wave-in-deck loading, strongly recommended to pay explicit at-
tention to ductile behaviour in the design and reassessment of jacket structures.
Based on the acceleration levels revealed during the dynamic analyses, acceleration re-
sponse is identied as an important indicator of the dynamic performance of jackets
under wave-in-deck loading.
The examination of the applicability of a simplied model and development of a modi-
cation to this model has contributed signicantly to the understanding of the dynamic
response versus the static response. In the course of this work, it has become clear that
the model is unsuited for problems involving wave loading, due to the signicant varia-
tion of the spatial load distribution with time. The model is, however, believed to have
a potential for problems of non-varying load distribution. Although found unsuited for
wave problems, in fact just due to the nature of the discrepancies, the model has provided
valuable insight into the mechanisms that for ductile structures lead to a higher tolerance
for wave-in-deck loading than indicated by static nonlinear analysis.
6 1 Introduction
1.5.2 Organisation of the work
The work is divided into 8 chapters, of which the present chapter is the rst. Chapter 2
represents an overview of topics related to wave-in-deck loading on jacket structures, with
a main focus on the performance of the structural system as a whole structural system
performance. Chapter 3 briey outlines the principles of the computer program used to carry
out nonlinear nite element analyses in this work.
In Chapter 4, the focus is on the magnitude and time variation of the wave-in-deck load.
Chapter 5 comprises time domain analyses of two jacket models denoted DS and DE,
respectively.
Chapter 6 treats issues related to dynamic behaviour, and particularly addresses the differ-
ences between dynamic and static behaviour. Further, a simplied model to calculate re-
sponse of complex structural systems is presented. In Chapter 7, the simplied model is used
to calculate response of jacket model DS.
Chapter 8 comprises the conclusions of this work as well as recommendations for further
work.
Chapter 2
State of the art
2.1 Introduction
This chapter represents a summary of a literature review carried out to explore the most im-
portant technical areas relevant for reassessment of jacket structures, seen from the viewpoint
of a structural engineer. During the process, particularly the wave-in-deck issue as well as
the dynamic response to loads caused by such captured the interest of the undersigned.
Parts of this chapter have been published previously (Hansen and Gudmestad, 2001) as a part
of the present doctoral studies.
This chapter starts with an introduction to the coverage of reassessment of offshore structures
in regulations and recommendations, Section 2.2. Section 2.3 is devoted to the environmen-
tal conditions and loading, with emphasis on wave-in-deck loading. Section 2.4 deals with
system performance in general. Three approaches to the evaluation of system performance,
being static analysis, dynamic analysis and structural reliability analysis, are explicitly dealt
with in Sections 2.5 to 2.7. The contribution from structural components to system perfor-
mance is treated separately in Section 2.8.
2.2 Reassessment in regulations
The main contributors to standardisation of the design of offshore structures have been the
American Petroleum Institute (API) through their Recommended Practices (RP), the Norwe-
gian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) presently the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), the
British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It is anticipated
that all petroleum activities in the future will be based on the international standards devel-
oped by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO (the new ISO standard series
for offshore structures, ISO 19 900, is currently being developed). However, the North Sea
7
8 2 State of the art
conditions and the Norwegian safety policy require certain amendments to the international
standards, being the reason for the existence of the NORSOK standards for activities on the
Norwegian Shelf. NORSOK has substituted the NPD regulations on detail level. In US
waters the recommendations by API apply, just as the HSE regulations are relevant for UK
waters.
Old North Sea platforms are designed according to the API recommendations valid at the
time of design, and are therefore normally, at least in rst instance, re-evaluated based on
API recommended practice.
The rst explicit advice relating to reassessment of offshore structures came with the sup-
plementary Section 17 to the API RP 2A in 1997. Section 17 was later fully incorporated
into the 21st edition of RP 2A-WSD, whereas still being a supplement to RP 2A-LRFD.
Currently, provisions for reassessment of offshore structures are included in both the draft
ISO/CD 19902 (2001) and NORSOK N-004 (2004).
Reassessment of offshore structures is an inherent part of structural integrity management
(SIM) an ongoing lifecycle process for ensuring the continued tness-for-purpose of off-
shores structures (OConnor et al., 2005). Provisions relating to structural integrity manage-
ment are included in the current version of API RP 2A and in the draft ISO 19902. API RP
2A is in the future intended split into two parts; one part relating to design of new structures,
and one comprising the process of structural integrity management of existing structures in-
cluding reassessment of structures.
2.3 Environmental conditions and loading
2.3.1 Waves and hydrodynamic loads
Several theories for the description of the shape and kinematics of regular waves exists. Reg-
ular wave theories used for calculation of wave forces on xed offshore structures are based
on the three parameters water depth (d), wave height (h) and wave period (T) as obtained
from wave measurements adapted to different statistical models.
The simplest regular wave theory is the linear small amplitude wave theory (Airy theory),
which gives symmetric waves having the form of a sine function about the still water level.
The linear wave theory is well suited for simplied calculations, but more important: it com-
prises the basis for the description of irregular waves.
Nonlinear theories used for design purposes are Stokes higher order wave theories and Stream
function theory for waves in deep water and cnoidal wave theories for shallow water. These
theories give an asymmetric wave form about the still water line with high crests compared
to more shallow, wide troughs.
Wave forces on individual structural elements can be calculated using Morison equation,
based on hydrodynamic drag- and mass coefcients (C
d
, C
m
) and particle acceleration and
velocity obtained by the chosen wave theory. For drag dominated structures, dened as struc-
tures consisting of structural members of small diameter compared to the wave length, the
2.3 Environmental conditions and loading 9
particle velocity is the governing factor, and thus the wave crest is of importance
1
. Jackets
are in the design wave condition normally categorised as drag dominated structures.
2.3.2 Wave-in-deck loading
General
Research has indicated that for North Sea structures failure due to extreme environmental
conditions probably only can be associated with wave impact on topside (Dalane and Haver,
1995; Haver, 1995). A vertical distance between the extreme surface elevation (including
tide and storm surge) and the underside of the lowest deck, an airgap, of 1.5 meters has been
widely recognised as a minimum requirement for xed offshore structures. The extreme
surface elevation refers to the worst combination of tide, surge and wave height. It is evident
that the 1.5 meter requirement leads to an inconsistent level of reliability, following different
probability of airgap extinction, between structures located in different areas of the world
having different environmental conditions.
Fixed offshore platforms are traditionally not designed to withstand the large forces generated
by wave-in-deck loads. If a wave yet strikes the deck, the deck legs, which are not sized to
transfer shear forces of this magnitude from the deck into the jacket, may be excessively
loaded. In addition, large (up and) downwards acting vertical loads may be introduced in the
structure, further reducing the deck legs capacity to carry transverse load. The latter may
also apply to the jacket legs. Thus, other failure modes than those considered during design
can be governing for platforms exposed to wave-in-deck loads.
The probability that a wave hits the deck of a structure inuences the structural reliability
signicantly. Bolt and Marley (1999) have shown that the effect of wave-in-deck loads on
the system reliability depends more upon whether the load is included at all than on which
load model one actually has chosen. With respect to airgap, Bolt and Marley anticipate
that the future requirements will be based on reliability considerations rather than explicit
requirements regarding size of the gap.
Properties of the wave such as crest height, wave steepness (Olagnon et al., 1999) and water
pressure (Trum, 1989) are determining for the size of the wave-in-deck forces. Estimation of
crest height should preferably be carried out based on statistical data, since small variations in
the crest height may imply large relative differences in deck inundation. Trum (1989) found
that the water pressure was largest at a distance u
2
cs
/2g below the wave crest elevation and
zero at a distance u
2
cs
/2g above the wave crest, where u
cs
and g are maximum crest particle
velocity and acceleration due to gravity, respectively. The same trend was pointed out earlier
by e.g. Bea and Lai (1978).
1
For mass dominated structures, i.e. those being large compared to the wave length, the particle acceleration will
be of interest. Since the particle acceleration is largest in the still water level, assumptions regarding wave crest and
crest elevation will not be as important as for drag dominated structures
10 2 State of the art
Methods for calculation of wave-in-deck loads
So far there is no generally agreed engineering practice on how to model impact loading from
waves on topside structures. Several methods are previously used for this task, some veried
against experimental data and some not. They can roughly be categorised into two groups,
that is detailed or global, the latter also denoted silhouette approach.
The detailed methods require a detailed deck model and allow for calculation of wave-in-
deck loads on component level. They are presented by the following references:
Kaplan et al. (1995)
Finnigan and Petrauskas (1997)
Pawsey et al. (1998)
Grnbech et al. (2001)
Global implies that no detailed deck model is needed, and comprises the following refer-
ences:
API formulation (API LRFD, 2003; API WSD, 2002)
ISO formulation (ISO/CD 19902, 2001) directly adopted from API
the DNV slamming formulation (Det Norske Veritas, 1991)
the Shell model (HSE, 1997b)
the MSL model (HSE, 2001, 2003)
Wave-in-deck load models are discussed in detail in Section 4.5.
2.3.3 Some historical issues regarding calculation of wave-in-deck loads
A method for estimation of wave-in-deck loads for reassessment of jacket structures was rst
suggested through Supplement 1 to the existing API regulations in 1997. At present, identical
recommendations are also included in the draft ISO standard (ISO/CD 19902, 2001).
A modied version of the API method has been suggested by Bea et al. (1999, 2001). The
modications have so far not been implemented, but are summarised as follows:
larger directional spreading
omitting hurricane current
modifying assumptions regarding surface elevation to account for wave runup
introducing drag coefcients (C
d
) that varies with depth
2.4 System performance 11
The basis for these suggested modications were, amongst others, observed in-eld perfor-
mance of platforms in Bay of Campeche that experienced deck wave inundation following
from hurricanes. The performance of several structures was assessed using the simplied
ULSLEA technique (see Section 2.4.2) and the modied API procedure. The results were
validated against observed performance during hurricanes Hilda in 1964, Camille in 1969,
Carmen in 1974 and Andrew in 1992.
In the early days, seen from a wave-in-deck point of view, the difference in phase angle
between the wave hitting the jacket and the wave hitting the deck was not taken into account.
Effectively, the wave load on the jacket and the wave-in-deck load were assumed to have their
maxima simultaneously. This issue is obviously important, and was pointed out by Pawsey
et al. (1998) who, to the authors knowledge, rst presented a method that integrated the
calculation of wave loads on the jacket and wave loads on the deck.
DHI have recently presented the results from a JIP in which one of the aims has been to de-
velop a method for calculation of wave-in-deck loads, and include it in their inhouse nonlinear
nite element program.
2.3.4 Combination of environmental loads for structural analysis
The conventional way of establishing design load for jackets in the ultimate limit state (ULS)
is to add load effects from 100-years / 1 minute gust wind, 10-years current and 100-years
wave height on top of 100-years still water level (Dalane and Haver, 1995). However, since
the probability that these events will occur simultaneously is much smaller than 1:100 per
year, structures that are designed according to such assumptions have an inherent reserve
capacity.
To avoid some of the conservatism in the above mentioned method, the extreme surface
elevation can be estimated by use of a joint probability distribution of tide surge and crests as
proposed by e.g. Olagnon et al. (1999).
In the accidental limit state (ALS) analyses it is important to recognise the phase difference
between the maxima for wave-in-deck load and wave load on the jacket structure.
2.4 System performance
2.4.1 General
Conventional design analyses of jackets presupposes linear elastic behaviour for all relevant
analysis limit states as well as perfectly rigid joints. Members are validated against formulae
based on linear-elastic theory, and no yield or buckling is permitted. This applies both to
the ULS analysis using the design wave and to the ALS analysis using a wave with a lower
probability of exceedance. Load effects, i.e. member end forces, are used for local check of
joints according to formulae that are developed on the background of experiments. Interaction
12 2 State of the art
ratio, IR, is dened as component load effect divided by component capacity, and failure is
dened to occur when component IR exceeds 1.0.
This conventional methodology disregards the structures inherent capability to redistribute
forces in case of one or more component failures. Each member and joint has been designed
to resist the actual load effects from the loads acting on the system. Structures that are con-
gured in a manner that permits redistribution of forces in case of component failure may
perform relatively well for load scenarios considerably more onerous than those correspond-
ing to rst component failure. Such structures are said to be redundant. Both the draft ISO
standard, the NORSOK regulations and the API recommendations explicitly require redun-
dant structures (ISO/CD 19902, 2001; NORSOK N-001, 2004; NORSOK N-004, 2004; API
WSD, 2002; API LRFD, 2003).
During the last decade extensive research (see Section 2.4.2) on the topic system capacity
as opposed to component capacity has been conducted, conrming the need to take and
benet from taking into account the behaviour of the complete structure as a system rather
than the strength of every single component.
Moan et al. (1997), for example, distinguish between four ways to investigate structural
system performance:
1. Scaling of the design wave load (normally the 100-years load) with constant wave
height, static analysis (Section 2.5.1).
2. Scaling of wave height, static analysis (Section 2.5.1).
3. Cyclic approach based on incrementing the wave height captures possible damage ac-
cumulation or cyclic degradation, (quasi-)static analysis, i.e. dynamic effects are not
incorporated (Section 2.5.2).
4. Full dynamic time history approach (Section 2.6).
The author considers the results from structural reliability analysis as a performance measure,
and therefore distinguishes between the following three main approaches to system perfor-
mance analysis:
1. Static analysis, incorporating pushover analysis and cyclic analysis.
2. Dynamic (time history) analysis.
3. Structural reliability analysis (requires results from static or dynamic analysis).
These different approaches are attended to in Sections 2.5 to 2.7.
2.4 System performance 13
2.4.2 Background
Structural capacity
During the years 1990 to 1996, SINTEF conducted a joint industry research project on re-
assessment of marine structures. The results were presented in several papers that were issued
during this period (Hellan et al., 1991; Stewart et al., 1993; Stewart and Tromans, 1993; Eberg
et al., 1993; Hellan et al., 1993; Eide et al., 1995; Amdahl et al., 1995). The main objective
was to develop an extended ULS design methodology in which global collapse of the system,
contrary to rst component failure, determines the capacity of the structure. This work forms
the basis for the nonlinear nite element program USFOS, which is used later in this thesis.
Work on the topic of system capacity has also been conducted at University of California,
Berkeley (Bea, 1993; Bea and Mortazavi, 1996). The work has resulted in proposed screen-
ing procedures for requalication of larger number of platforms, calibrated to Gulf of Mexico
conditions, as well as a simplied assessment method of system strength called ULSLEA
Ultimate Limit State Limit Equilibrium Analysis (Bea and Mortazavi, 1996). The idea behind
ULSLEA is that a depth prole of shear capacity for the structure based on simplied con-
siderations is established and compared to a storm loading prole. The ULSLEA technique
is incorporated into available software (Bea et al., 2000).
In the context of the ULSLEA technique, it is interesting to notice that e.g. HSE (1997a)
has shown that shear and overturning moment capacity at the base are not necessarily good
indicators of structural integrity. Better indications evinced from shear force and moment vs.
the respective capacities at the level where the failure occurs. This supports the ULSLEA
idea.
System capacity was also addressed by Vannan et al. (1994), through the Simplied Ultimate
Strength approach (SUS), which is a linear procedure. The global ultimate capacity of the
structure is dened as the base shear at which rst component (joint, member, pile-soil bear-
ing capacity or pile steel strength) reaches its ultimate capacity. Ultimate capacity for the
different component classes is calculated based on API LRFD (1993). It was pointed out that
the procedure leads to faulty indications of joint and soil failure compared to the pushover
analyses.
A study in which the SUS approach was compared to the ULSLEA approach and to nonlinear
static pushover analyses was reported by Stear and Bea (1997). The three analysis approaches
were also compared to historical observations of platform performance. Both ULSLEA and
SUS were found to give reasonable and reliable predictions of ultimate capacity. One purpose
of the study was to validate the SUS approach for use in requalication for structures not
passing the ULSLEA analysis. It was concluded in the reference paper that SUS is suited
for this task. The author of this thesis, however, questions this conclusion since SUS seems
in general to yield lower ultimate capacity than ULSLEA, meaning that in general platforms
that do not pass ULSLEA will neither pass SUS. Also, results obtained by SUS have larger
spreading compared to pushover analyses than those obtained by ULSLEA. These issues are
not discussed by Stear and Bea.
14 2 State of the art
System behaviour has already for some time been considered in connection with requali-
cation of jackets, see e.g. Ersdal (2005), in particular when it comes to wave-in-deck loads
because of the large horisontal loads. However, component based design is still the state
of practice for design of new structures. A procedure for design of new jackets to meet a
particular target reliability level was proposed by Manuel et al. (1998). The structural sys-
tem capacity is explicitly addressed as a performance measure during the design process, a
signicant difference compared to todays design practice.
Procedures focusing on system capacity, ensuring redundant and ductile structural behaviour,
are benecial because they focus on optimal design of structures with respect to distribu-
tion of capacity throughout the structure no bottlenecks as well as robustness against
component failure.
Structural reliability
The previously mentioned work by Manuel et al. (1998) outlines an iterative procedure to
design of (new) jackets to a given target structural reliability
2
. The procedure distinguishes
between design level wave height and ultimate level wave height. The design level wave is
initially used for a conventional linear elastic design analysis, of which the purpose is to size
members and perform IR unity checks. The ultimate level wave height is used as input to
nonlinear pushover analysis in order to establish the ultimate capacity and subsequently the
probability of failure. If the failure probability does not meet the target probability, structural
members that are critical to the capacity is redesigned, followed by a new pushover analysis
and calculation of failure probability. If necessary, such local redesign can be done several
times until the target structural reliability is obtained.
A limited amount of work has been conducted on the effects of wave-in-deck loads on the
structural reliability. Dalane and Haver (1995) carried out a reliability study of an existing
jacket structure in the North Sea exposed to different levels of seabed subsidence. Not surpris-
ingly, it was found that the annual probability of failure increases with increasing subsidence
level and thus larger probability of airgap extinction. It was also stated that the description of
extreme waves is the most important part of the assessment.
A HSE-study reported by Bolt and Marley (1999) illustrates that system reliability is signi-
cantly inuenced by wave-in-deck load, and, as mentioned earlier, that the determining factor
is whether the load on the deck is included or not, rather than which model is being used for
load calculation.
Manzocchi et al. (1999) also emphasise the signicance of including wave-in-deck loads,
based on a study of a platform situated in the central North Sea. Smaller failure probabil-
ity is yielded by wave force incrementation compared to results derived from wave height
incrementation (see Section 2.5.1).
2
Existing design codes aim at designing structures to withstand a load scenario having a given probability of
occurrence. In this context it must be emphasised that the probability of occurrence of a given load scenario is not
equal to the probability of structural failure induced by that load scenario.
2.5 Static system analysis 15
Srensen et al. (2004) performed reliability analyses of an example jacket for the Danish part
of the North Sea using the model correction factor method (Ditlevsen and Arnbjerg-Nielsen,
1994), and emphasise that if a wave scenario leads to airgap extinction, this (probabilistic)
method gives better indications of the structural performance than the RSR alone.
2.4.3 Large scale testing
To the authors knowledge only one project which includes large scale testing of space frames
has been reported the FRAMES project (Bolt and Billington, 2000). The observations
from the tests conrm the signicant force redistribution potential within steel structures,
but also emphasise that the presence of imperfections, variable system properties and initial
stress conditions in the structure are important to the system performance and should be
further investigated.
2.5 Static system analysis
2.5.1 Pushover analysis
State-of-practice for system performance analysis of existing jackets is to use so-called push-
over analyses nonlinear (quasi-) static nite element analyses with monotonically increas-
ing load. Permanent loads and variable functional loads are applied rst, followed by the
(hydrodynamic) load for which one wants to obtain ultimate capacity. This load with its as-
sociated distribution is applied by increasing its magnitude stepwise until global collapse of
the structure is reached. A measure of the capacity of a structure with reference to one par-
ticular load scenario is thus obtained. This measure is referred to as reserve strength ratio
RSR.
RSR =
R
ult
F
j
(h
n
) +F
d
(h
n
) +F
c
( +F
w
)
(2.1)
Here, R
ult
is the ultimate static capacity of the structure for the given load scenario, h
n
is
the n-year wave height, F
j
() and F
d
() are wave load on jacket and deck, respectively, F
c
is
current load and F
w
is wind load. The wind load is frequently omitted from the denition of
RSR. Current design practice is to refer the RSR to the 100-years environmental load condi-
tion, for which wave-in-deck load normally will be irrelevant. However, during reassessment
of offshore structures, it will also be relevant to obtain RSR relative to the 10 000-years
environmental load.
The RSR is dependent upon the load predictions and calculation of system capacity. RSR
is a quasi-deterministic measure, since design loads and capacities are taken as deterministic
values, although based on statistical interpretation of measured data with inherent variability.
The procedure with pure scaling of the wave load intensity while keeping the load distribution
constant yields a measure of reserve capacity for a given wave only, it does not indicate to
16 2 State of the art
what extent the wave height can increase without leading to loss of structural integrity. A
relevant question is therefore whether to increment the wave load (intensity) only or the
wave height. Wave height incrementation, which requires several pushover analyses using
wave load incrementation, has a clearer physical meaning. Incrementing the wave height can
lead to other failure modes than those arising from pure incrementation of the wave load for
one given wave scenario, particularly in the case where the wave reaches the cellar deck or
main decks (e.g. Manzocchi et al., 1999; HSE, 1997a). It has been shown that wave height
incrementation gives a slightly smaller ultimate capacity than wave load incrementation in
terms of total global load / base shear (Emami Azadi, 1998). Moan et al. (1997) reports
similar results, and emphasise that this is mainly due to the wave encountering the deck
structure before collapse load is reached and then the loads increase rapidly as the wave is
increased.
Clearly, if waves with crests lower than the underside of the deck are not alone enough to
cause collapse of the platform, obtaining RSRbased on wave load incrementation with wetted
surface limited to the jacket (disregarding the deck) may give distorted results. This problem
is attended to by Ersdal (2005), through introduction of additional parameters to describe
system strength; a reserve freeboard ratio (RFR) and a new failure modes parameter (NFM).
The combination of RSR and these two parameters provides a more complete evaluation of
static system strength.
2.5.2 Cyclic analysis
The major difference between pushover analysis and cyclic analysis is that in the latter case
the applied load vector is reversed several times. Cyclic capacity is dened as the largest load
intensity at which the structure shakes down (Stewart et al., 1993). A structure is said to shake
down when a load scenario with magnitude large enough to create permanent displacements
will, when repeated with the same or smaller magnitude, after some cycles only lead to elastic
deformations in the structure. The mathematical expressions or theorems that describe this
behaviour are briey outlined in e.g. Hellan et al. (1991).
If the magnitude of the load exceeds the cyclic capacity, and the structure is subjected to
repeated action, the result will be either incremental collapse or low cycle fatigue (alternat-
ing plasticity). When repeated loading results in steadily increasing plastic deformation, the
structure will sooner or later reach a state where the deformations are larger than what can be
accepted out of practical reasons, or the structure becomes unstable. This is called incremen-
tal collapse. During the process of reaching shakedown or incremental collapse, the structure
may fail locally due to alternating plasticity / low cycle fatigue resulting in fatigue fractures.
This may prevent shakedown and accelerate the incremental collapse.
As a part of the project Reassessment of Marine Structures, and based on short- and long-
term statistics, Stewart and Tromans (1993) have developed a nonlinear load history model
for nonlinear cyclic analysis.
2.6 Dynamic system analysis 17
2.6 Dynamic system analysis
2.6.1 Design provisions
The draft ISO standard (ISO/CD 19902, 2001, Section 12.6.6.3) states that dynamic analyses
can be performed in one of the following two ways:
1. Full transient dynamic non-linear analysis in which the environmental action is simu-
lated in time.
2. Quasi-static, in which static non-linear analysis procedures are used in combination
with the environmental load set augmented with an inertial component.
Both API LRFD (2003) Section C.3.3.2.1 and NORSOK N-004 (2004) Section K.4.2 say ....
Time history methods using random waves are preferred. Frequency domain methods may
be used for the global dynamic analysis (...), provided the linearisation of the drag force can
be justied.
2.6.2 Dynamic effects
The rst period of vibration of a jacket platform (in not too deep water) is typically 1-3
seconds. The load duration for the jacket (as opposed to the deck) is typically the period
during which the crest part of a wave forms, i.e. half the wave cycle. The part of the wave
that enters the deck will have a shorter duration, Schmucker and Cornell (1994) assume 2
- 3 seconds for a wave with T
p
= 12 s, when considering the time it takes from the point
of contact, to travel through the deck and nally loose contact on the opposite side. An
open deck conguration having smooth surfaces allows the wave to travel through the deck,
whereas for a closed conguration, e.g. a solid wall, the wave contact will result in an impact
of more impulsive character. The exposed area of the former is smaller, and presumably also
the peak force.
The load on the deck during impact from a large wave is undoubtedly of dynamic nature,
and that will inuence the response from the structural system. The response is governed by
parameters such as the peak load value, load duration and its variability in time and the struc-
tures stiffness, mass distribution, ultimate capacity, ductility and post-collapse behaviour. In
certain situations, a dynamic load with a limited duration can be advantageous compared to
a static load with the same value as the peak value of the dynamic load history (see Section
5.3). Damping and inertial resistance, the latter mainly determined by the deck weight, may
lead to a higher tolerance for lateral forces, generally and theoretically spoken. It is evident
that if the load exceeds the static capacity, static equilibrium cannot be obtained. Dynamic
equilibrium can and will, however, always be obtained from the analysts point of view; the
question only turns into how large displacements, velocities and accelerations that can be
accepted. Also from the mathematical formulation of dynamic equilibrium, in this case for a
18 2 State of the art
single degree of freedom (SDOF) system, it is clear that equilibrium can be obtained also for
external forces F
e
(t) that exceed the static capacity R
ult
= R
r,max
:
R
m
(t) +R
d
(t) +R
r
(t) = F
e
(t) (2.2)
Here, R
m
(t), R
d
(t) and R
r
(t) are inertia-, damping- and stiffness induced responses, re-
spectively. For structures that possess a certain ductility and post-collapse capacity, one can
easily imagine that this equation also is valid for responses that exceed the yield limit of the
structure. Transient (accidental) loads may in that case result in considerable but acceptable
permanent deformations of the structure while not resulting in a complete loss of structural
integrity.
The studies by Stewart (1992), Dalane and Haver (1995), Schmucker (1996), Moan et al.
(1997), Emami Azadi (1998) and HSE (1998) demonstrate indeed that structures with certain
qualities may be able to remain (damaged but) intact when exposed to a dynamic load history
with peak load exceeding the static capacity, provided the load peak is of limited duration.
Note that the opposite might as well be the situation; that the dynamic effect results in a lower
resistance to a peak applied load than for a static load. Two parameters commonly used to
quantify the dynamic effects on the structural response are described in the following. In this
respect one distinguishes between transient and harmonic loading:
The dynamic magnication factor (DMF) is the relation between the dynamic response
(displacement) caused by a peak applied load and the static response for the same
load. The DMF is illustrated in Figure 2.1 for different impulse shapes.
Figure 2.1: DMF as a function of impulse duration relative to structure natural period. T is
the structures natural period, t
1
is the impulse duration. (Bergan et al., 1981)
The dynamic amplication factor (DAF) is normally associated with harmonic loading,
as opposed to transient loading, and is dened as the relation between the dynamic re-
sponse amplitude and the static response displacement. From this denition it is clear
2.6 Dynamic system analysis 19
that for a brittle structural system that behaves linearly up to collapse, the dynamic
overload ratio (see Equation 2.7) is
r
=
1
DAF
(2.3)
The DAF can be calculated as follows (Clough and Penzien, 1993):
DAF =
1
_
(1
2
)
2
+ (2)
2
(2.4)
where is the ratio of applied loading frequency to the natural frequency of the struc-
ture and is the ratio of the given damping to the critical damping value. For a typical
jacket, the damping is 1.5 - 2% of critical damping. Figure 2.2 illustrates how the
DAF varies with the frequency ratio, , for 2% damping ratio, i.e. for = 0.02. As
the load period approaches the natural period of the structure, the dynamic amplica-
tion increases rapidly and reaches its maximum value of 25 when the load period and
the natural period are equal.
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
0
1
5
10
15
20
25
D
A
F
Figure 2.2: DAF as a function of frequency ratio , = 0.02
Sometimes it may also be relevant to analyse dynamic amplication resulting from a particu-
lar (irregular) load history, comparing the maximum dynamic response to the given load time
history to the static response, i.e. response excluding inertia and damping effects, to the
same load history.
Further, it is assumed that the load - deformation curves obtained from static extreme wave
analysis, frequently called resistance curve, may give information about dynamic perfor-
mance
3
. Related to this assumption, some parameters of the resistance curve are dened
(symbols are illustrated in Figure 2.3):
3
The discussion regarding the validity of this statement is one of the main subjects of this thesis.
20 2 State of the art
Displacement
F
o
r
c
e
u
el
u
ult u
cap
R
el
R
ult
R
res
Figure 2.3: Resistance curve, system capacity properties
The ductility ratio () characterises the structures ability to deform in the post-collapse
area:
= u
cap
/u
el
(2.5)
Note that the expression ductility demand frequently is used in the literature. It refers
to the ductility required for a structure to remain (damaged but) intact after exposure
to a given load history.
The residual resistance ratio (r
r
) does, together with the ductility ratio, describe the per-
formance of the structural system in the post-collapse range.
r
r
= R
res
/R
ult
(2.6)
Schmucker (1996) investigated the inuence of the shape of the static resistance curve on the
dynamic response, focusing on the following characterising properties of the curve:
A secondary stiffness (as opposed to the initial elastic stiffness) that describes the slope
of the resistance curve between R
el
and R
ult
.
A post ultimate stiffness which describes the transition from R
ult
to R
res
.
The previously described residual resistance ratio r
r
.
The load history subject to investigation had a squared sinusoidal shape, and was meant to
represent the complete crest part of a wave. Hansen (2002) compared the results from this
load history to the results from a more impulse like load history meant to represent a wave-
in-deck force impulse. For the conclusions from both studies, reference is made to the source
documents.
SINTEF (1998) characterises post-collapse behaviour as follows:
2.6 Dynamic system analysis 21
Ductile r
r
> 0.9 and 1
Brittle r
r
< 0.7 or 1
Semi-ductile 0.7 < r
r
< 0.9 and 1
2.6.3 Simplied dynamic analysis
Full dynamic time history analyses, which can reveal (dis)advantageous structural behaviour
compared to traditional static pushover analyses, are expensive and time consuming, and
several analyses are necessary in order to cover a reasonable domain of relevant wave heights.
One has therefore sought to nd SDOF models that can estimate the dynamic overload ratio
(the structures capability to resist dynamic loading relative to the resistance to static loading)
as a function of the post-collapse behaviour observed by pushover analyses:
r
= F
e,max
/R
ult
(2.7)
Simplied expressions for the dynamic overload ratio were presented by Bea and Young
(1993) on the form
r
= f() and r
= f(, r
r
) (2.8)
for seismic loading, i.e. load durations typically shorter than the natural period of the struc-
tural system.
Schmucker (1996) included more parameters when presenting equations for wave loading:
r
= f(DMF,
T
n
t
d
, , r
r
) (2.9)
The parameters T
n
and t
d
are the natural period of structure and the load duration (typically
half a wave cycle), respectively. This relation is an EPP (elasto perfectly-plastic) or bi-linear
EPP approach to the complex behaviour of a structural system, and does thus not account
for gradual yielding or reduction in load bearing capacity for displacements beyond those
related to the static ultimate capacity. In order to include the effect of gradual yielding for an
elasto-plastic system with post-peak degradation Emami Azadi (1998) in addition included
a parameter denoted comprising residual strength and gradual stiffness degradation in his
attempt to obtain an expression for the dynamic overload ratio:
r
= f(DMF, r
r
,
T
n
T
, , ) (2.10)
In the above equation, T denotes wave period. Note that is a degradation parameter,
expressed as
= 1 r
r
T
n
T
e
where T
e
= 2
_
m
k
e
(2.11)
22 2 State of the art
T
e
is an effective, dynamic period near collapse, but is neither the same as the natural period
of the static system near collapse nor equal to the initial natural period. k
e
can be expressed
as a fraction of the initial stiffness k
i
, i.e.
k
e
= k
i
(2.12)
where can be taken in the range of 0.10.001. k
e
= 0.1k
i
represents a very highly inertia
effective system, while k
e
= 0.001k
i
represents a very low mass dominated system (Emami
Azadi, 1998).
Moan et al. (1997) reported a comparison between a MDOF model, Schmuckers approach
and an expression given on the form
4
r
= f(DMF, , ) (2.13)
for one single platform for end-on and broad-side loading ( is the parameter dened in
Equation 2.11). The discrepancies between the results obtained using MDOF model and
Equation 2.13 are found to be small, generally less than 5%. Schmuckers model yields
slightly lower dynamic overload ratios, and it is argued that the reason for this is that the
model does not account for the change in natural period as the structure softens in the post-
collapse range.
An analytical cantilever model for calculation of dynamic response of a jacket structure is
presented by HSE (1998). The mathematical formulation is presented, however, it seems
unclear from the description whether information about the structural properties such as stiff-
ness and wave loading needs to be generated by some external (nite element) software with
a detailed structural model. The simplied model is reported to calculate results in good
agreement with results from nonlinear dynamic nite element analyses for the structure in-
vestigated in the report.
2.6.4 Acceleration levels
NORSOK S-002 (2004) provides acceleration limits for (human) exposure to continuous
vibrations from machinery during a 12 hours working day for vibration frequencies 1 Hz
and above. The relevance of these recommendations is considered marginal particularly due
to the frequency range considered, but also due to the fact that (transient) environmental
loading resulting from wave impact on the platform topside will be perceived differently than
continuous vibrations during a working day.
NS 4931 (1985) gives recommendations related to the sensitivity of human beings to low
frequency horisontal vibrations with duration exceeding 10 minutes in (buildings and) xed
offshore installations for the frequency range 0.063 Hz to 1 Hz. For durations shorter than 10
minutes, no recommendations are given. The human reactions to different acceleration levels
are categorised as follows:
4
The expression is referred to be originating from Emami Azadis Dr.Ing. thesis to be published, however in
the published thesis the expression is extended to be on the form given in Equation 2.10.
2.6 Dynamic system analysis 23
a) Threshold levels - perception or noticing of vibrations (the two lower curves in Figure
2.4).
b) Anxiety or fear leading to signicant complaints, relevant as basis for criteria for on-
shore building vibrations generated by storms.
c) Disturbance to activity (the upper curve in Figure 2.4).
Important for the human reactions will be how often one experiences such vibration incidents
and how long they last. Values relevant for xed offshore installations are shown in Figure
2.4. The three curves in the gure represent from above: The acceptable acceleration level of
the structure when performing non-routine or exacting work, the limit acceleration which an
average human being will feel and the threshold value below which nobody will notice the
vibrations.
10
1
10
0
10
3
10
2
10
1
10
0
Frequency [Hz]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
e
f
f
c
t
i
v
e
v
a
l
u
e
[
m
/
s
2
]
Fixed offshore installations, sugg. limit
Mean value, human sensibility
Threshold value, human sensibility
Figure 2.4: Acceleration limit values, xed offshore installations (NS 4931, 1985)
2.6.5 Relative velocity vs. absolute water particle velocity
It has been shown that accounting for the relative velocity between water particle velocity
and structural members reduces the wave load effect signicantly and thereby increases the
dynamic performance of a structure for a given wave scenario (Schmucker, 1996; Moan et al.,
1997; Emami Azadi, 1998).
HSE (2003) reported similar results from analysis of a jack-up rig.
24 2 State of the art
However, NORSOK N-003 (1999) recommends relative velocity to be included only for slen-
der members with motion amplitude larger than the member diameter, in order not to overes-
timate hydrodynamic damping for structures during small motions.
2.6.6 Representative load histories
Based on analyses of time histories from three hurricanes, Bea and Young (1993) reported
that the largest response amplitudes were caused by a few waves preceding and following the
peak wave amplitude in these time histories.
Stewart (1992) suggested a load history comprising three wave cycles, where the force is
gradually increased over the rst two cycles in order to provide a start-up condition for the
system response. This is identical to the recommendations given later by SINTEF (1998).
A linear envelope increasing over 3 wave cycles, being constant over 2 cycles and decreasing
over 3 cycles is suggested by Moan et al. (1997).
These approaches are essentially the same: a few waves before the max-wave are needed in
order to start motion of the structure, and thus to get a representative inertia effect.
HSE (2003) shows that the response status, with respect to displacement and its derivatives,
of a jack-up rig prior to exposure to an extreme wave which hits the deck does not inuence
the resulting maximum response signicantly. It is noted, though, that the largest deck dis-
placement occurs if the wave hits the hull when it has the largest displacement in the direction
opposite to the wave heading direction, i.e. at the time the hull has the largest acceleration in
the direction of the wave heading. The effect on the vertical reactions in the legs is, however,
signicant in the way that tension, i.e. deck lift off, is detected for some response conditions
prior to wave impact.
2.7 Structural reliability analysis
2.7.1 General
Reliability methods are increasingly recognised as tools for supporting decisions in the petro-
leumindustry. Related to reassessment of structures, the overall goal is to keep the safety level
above the minimum requirements of the inherent safety level of the relevant design code.
Briey, reliability methods in structural design and reassessment are structural analysis mod-
els incorporating available information about uncertainties in loads and resistances. There
are mainly two types of uncertainties:
inherent (aleatory / type I) uncertainty cannot be reduced by more knowledge
modeling (epistemic / type II) uncertainty can be reduced by collecting more infor-
mation
2.7 Structural reliability analysis 25
Currently, use of structural reliability analysis (SRA) is in practice mostly limited to cal-
ibration/udating of load factors in design codes. System reliability approaches are so far
only applied to offshore structures where very simplied models serve the purpose (Moan,
1998a). Quantitative reliability analysis (QRA), however, has a wide area of application. The
difference might not be obvious to the reader:
SRA Structural reliability analysis, for estimating probability of structural failure by taking
into account the inherent variability of loads and the uncertainty due to lack of knowledge.
Is being used for ultimate strength assessment and fatigue reliability evaluations (Moan,
1998a,b).
QRA Quantitative reliability analysis, the purpose of which is to determine likelihood of
fatalities. Failure probabilities yielded by use of SRA can be included in QRA. For ALS
evaluation, QRA will implicitly be used to nd representative load (-combinations) or like-
lihood of e.g. re or explosion, whereas SRA can be applied to determine the probability of
structural collapse based on these loading events (Moan, 1998a,b).
2.7.2 Jacket structural reliability analysis in practice
The ultimate capacity for the structure must be established for different loading scenarios
including, if relevant, different levels of subsidence. Current practice is to use nonlinear
nite element analyses for this task. Both load and system capacity is frequently represented
in terms of base shear
5
(Moan, 1998a). The load will be a function of wave heights and
wave directions, while the ultimate capacity of the system is relatively independent of the
variability in the (wave-)load, see e.g. Sigurdsson et al. (1994).
The dominating uncertainty parameters in the reliability calculations are those related to de-
scription of the sea state, this will be even more pronounced for waves large enough to hit the
deck.
It is important that joint behaviour is represented in the nite element model, see Section
2.8.1.
The basic principle for calculation of the probability of failure is summarised in the following.
The safety margin Z is a stochastic variable. This quantity is simply the difference between
capacity / resistance (R) and load / load effect (S). If Z is negative, the structure fails, and
positive Z indicates a safe structure. Z is in principle given on the format:
Z = R (
j
S
j
+
d
S
d
+
c
S
c
+
w
S
w
) (2.14)
where denotes uncertainty, R denotes structural capacity, S is load effect and indices j, d,
c, and w refers to wave-on-jacket, wave-in-deck, current and wind respectively.
Lognormally distributed resistance R and load effect S are frequently assumed. Based on
the failure margin, the annual probability of failure P
f
is calculated. The failure probability
5
Note the difference between collapse base shear and shear capacity at the base
26 2 State of the art
depends upon expected values and inherent uncertainties as well as uncertainties in the sta-
tistical model, in load predictions, responses, member capacities and material properties. P
f
is given by
P
f
= () (2.15)
where () is the cumulative standard normal distribution (with zero mean and unit standard
deviation) and is called reliability index. is given by
=
z
z
(2.16)
The quantities
z
and
z
are the mean value and standard deviation for the safety margin Z.
It should be noted that while there is an explicit connection between and P
f
, a given P
f
does not reect a certain RSR and opposite.
2.8 Components contribution to system behaviour
2.8.1 Tubular joints
The behaviour of tubular joints has been a topic subjected to considerable research over the
last three decades. Increasing knowledge has improved the estimates of capacities and fatigue
resistance of the joints, and the knowledge is to some extent incorporated in tools for system
analysis.
Formulae for calculating the strength of tubular joints are in general derived on the basis
of experiments, where failure involves signicant strains. The rened formulae in the latest
edition (22nd) of API RP2A, however, are calibrated against nonlinear nite element analyses
as well as physical experiments.
The behaviour of the joint will be determining for the distribution of forces throughout the
structural system, and therefore for the developed failure mode. Consequently, the joint be-
haviour will be of importance for the overall system performance and thus the reliability
of the structure. This is demonstrated by e.g. Morin et al. (1998), whose objective was to
investigate the inuence of the joint behaviour on the overall behaviour of jacket structures. It
is, amongst others, reported that the assumption of rigid joints may lead to non-conservative
estimates of system capacity.
Conventional design of new structures does not include explicit modeling of joint behaviour,
the joints are assumed to be perfectly rigid, meaning that moments and forces are distributed
according to nominal member stiffness. In nonlinear static or cyclic analyses, which are
often used for reassessment purposes, methods such as representing joint behaviour by linear
(joint exibility) or nonlinear (joint capacity) springs are used (Moan, 1998a). Other ways to
represent joints can be the use of beam elements with capacities determined on the basis of
tubular joint capacity formulae from recognised design codes, or to model joint behaviour by
a plastic potential, taking interaction between axial loads and moments into account.
2.8 Components contribution to system behaviour 27
2.8.2 Tubular members
Experience has revealed that there is a considerable reserve strength in many convention-
ally designed jackets. As opposed to assumptions regarding other structural details in such
structures, which often result in an non-conservative over-prediction of system capacity, as-
sumptions regarding members often lead to systematic under-estimation of capacity. This
is mainly caused by use of conservative buckling lengths of members. The API-regulations
recommend an effective length factor of 0.8 to 0.9 for jacket braces, while NORSOK N-004
(2004) and ISO/CD 19902 (2001) recommend 0.7 to 0.8. In all cases the recommendations
come to use if buckling lengths are not explicitly determined by appropriate analyses. Hel-
lan et al. (1994) and Grenda et al. (1988) demonstrated that a more realistic estimate of the
effective length factor for braces might be 0.60 - 0.65.
2.8.3 Pile / soil interaction
Failure modes that are considered in jacket pile foundations comprise pile pull-out or plung-
ing, or plastic hinge formation (lateral pile failure). A real structure might experience a
combination of these failure modes.
Methods in use to model pile/soil interaction comprise linear and nonlinear concentrated
springs, springs distributed along the piles and nite element continuum models. Moan et al.
(1997) demonstrated that the choice of pile/soil modeling method can affect the load distri-
bution and failure mode in the structural model. Emami Azadi (1998) has, however, shown
that the use of linear springs to represent foundation in some cases can lead to signicant
overestimation of the jacket-pile-soil system capacity.
HSE (1998) concludes that for one ductile jacket structure analysed, the inclusion of non-
linear foundation model results in a signicant increase of the lateral displacement of the
deck. The effect on the capacity to carry lateral load is, however, small.
28 2 State of the art
Chapter 3
Finite element software - basis and
application
3.1 Introduction
The nite element computations in this document have been carried out using USFOS, a
nonlinear nite element program developed by SINTEF Civil and Environmental engineer-
ing. USFOS is originally intended for offshore (space) frame structures. The formulation is
based on the displacement method using only one nite element per physical element in the
structure and includes nonlinear material properties and nonlinear geometry / large displace-
ments.
The objective of this chapter is to give an introduction to the methodology that is the basis
for USFOS. The main references for this chapter are USFOS Theory Manual (Sreide et al.,
1993), USFOS Getting Started (SINTEF GROUP, 2001) and Skallerud and Amdahl (2002).
3.2 Basic continuum mechanics applied to beam elements
3.2.1 Strain and stress
The USFOS formulation is based on use of Green strain E, which, to the difference from the
traditional engineering strain, is valid for any magnitude of displacement and rotation. The
stretching of an element due to transverse displacement is for instance captured by Green
strain formulation, but not by engineering strain formulation. Green strain will be denoted
herein.
The axial strain can be expressed as follows:
x
= v
x,x
+
1
2
v
2
x,x
+
1
2
v
2
y,x
+
1
2
v
2
z,x
(3.1)
29
30 3 Finite element software - basis and application
v
x1
v
x2
v
y2
v
y1
v
z1
v
z2
z2
x
z
y
x2
y2
y1
z1
x1
Figure 3.1: Denition of local element displacements
where v
x
, v
y
and v
z
are displacements in x, y and z directions at any location within the
beam, and subscript , x denotes differentiation once with respect to x. For moderate element
deections, Equation 3.1 simplies to:
x
= v
x,x
+
1
2
v
2
y,x
+
1
2
v
2
z,x
(3.2)
The stress measure that is energy conjugate to the Green strain is the 2nd Piola-Kirchhoff
stress, S. Herein, the notation will be used instead of S. For small strains, the 2nd
Piola-Kirchhoff stress approaches the Cauchy stress, which is the energy conjugate to the
engineering strain.
3.2.2 Potential energy
Potential energy considerations are used to establish the (elastic) stiffness matrix. The internal
strain energy is
U =
1
2
_
V
x
dV
=
1
2
_
l
EA
_
v
x,x
+
1
2
v
2
y,x
+
1
2
v
2
z,x
_
2
dx +
1
2
_
l
_
EI
z
v
2
y,xx
+EI
y
v
2
z,xx
_
dx (3.3)
where EA and EI are axial and bending stiffness, respectively, subscript , xx denotes dif-
ferentiation twice with respect to x,
x
is the 2nd Piola-Kirchhoff stress in x-direction and l
is the length of the element. The internal strain energy has one contribution from axial load-
ing which includes axial displacement v
x
, and one from bending, which includes the lateral
displacements v
y
and v
z
.
3.3 Finite element formulation 31
The potential of the external loads reads
H =
F
i
v
i
_
l
q
x
v
x
dx
_
l
q
y
v
y
dx
_
l
q
z
v
z
dx (3.4)
where F
i
and v
i
are the concentrated loads and the resulting displacements and q is distributed
load. The total potential for an (elastic) element is the sum of internal strain energy and the
potential of the external loads:
= U +H (3.5)
The rst variation of the total potential
= U +H (3.6)
with respect to displacements expresses the state of equilibrium in the body. The require-
ment = 0 is the basis for equilibrium corrections, ensuring that the internal stress state
corresponds to the external force situation.
Further, the relation between two close congurations is given by the variation of increment
in the total potential:
= U +H (3.7)
3.3 Finite element formulation
So far, we have considered the beam element as a continuum, its variables not restricted to
certain locations or nodes. The functions v
x
(x), v
y
(x) and v
z
(x) denote the displacements
in the three directions of the longitudinal neutral axis of the beam. In the following, the
behaviour of the element will instead be represented by the behaviour at chosen locations,
called nodes.
3.3.1 Shape functions
Generating a nite element model of a structure involves a division or discretisation of the
structure into elements with a given number of nodes
1
. The displacement {v} of any point
1
One major feature of USFOS is the formulation which allows for the use of only one element per physical
element in the frame structure. The element formulation is capable of modeling beam-column behaviour including
buckling and large deections. The default beam column element has two nodes with three translational and three
rotational degrees of freedom each.
32 3 Finite element software - basis and application
located at the element neutral axis is described by the displacement of the nodes {v
N
} com-
bined with the shape or interpolation functions [];
{v} = []
T
{v
N
} (3.8)
For a two node beam element, which is the basic element in USFOS, the displacements can
be expressed in the following way:
v
x
(x) = {
x
}
T
{v
x
}
v
y
(x) = {
y
}
T
{v
y
} (3.9)
v
z
(x) = {
z
}
T
{v
z
}
By substituting these expressions for v
x
(x), v
y
(x) and v
z
(x) in the functionals and ,
the problem of nding stationary value of the functional reduces to nding the solution of a
set of algebraic equations where nodal displacements v
x
, v
y
and v
z
are the unknowns.
3.3.2 Stiffness matrix
The elastic tangent stiffness matrix [K
T
] is derived by substituting Equation 3.9 into the
expression for U and arranging the terms in the order v
x
, v
y
and v
z
, on the form
{S} = [K
T
]
_
_
_
v
x
v
y
v
z
_
_
_
(3.10)
where S is the vector of force components.
3.3.3 Nonlinear material model
The inclusion of nonlinear material behaviour comprises the following elements:
A yield condition denes when yield occurs
A ow rule relates the plastic strain increment to the stress increment
A hardening rule description of change in stress during plastic ow
A bounding surface the surface that denes the outer limit of the yield surface
A loading condition identies elastic (un)loading or plastic loading
3.3 Finite element formulation 33
The yield condition is represented by a yield surface or yield function
y
on the form
y
(S
i
, S
pi
,
i
, z
y
) =
y
_
S
i
i
S
pi
z
y
_
= 0, i = 1, . . . , 6 (3.11)
where
S = [N, V
y
, V
z
, M
x
, M
y
, M
z
]
T
and S
p
= [N
p
, V
py
, V
pz
, M
px
, M
py
, M
pz
]
T
(3.12)
S
i
is the vector of force components, while S
pi
is the vector of the plastic capacities for all
force components. The factor z
y
describes the extension of the yield surface relative to the
bounding surface, and
i
describes transition of the yield surface from initial yield to full
plastication of the cross section. The yield surface divides the force space into an elastic
force state
y
< 0 and a plastic force state
y
= 0. A force state
y
> 0 is in principle not
allowed.
For tubular members, when neglecting torsion, shear forces and strain hardening, the yield
condition simplies to:
y
= cos
_
2
(N
1
)
N
p
z
y
_
_
(M
y
5
)
2
+ (M
z
6
)
2
M
p
z
y
= 0 (3.13)
The total strain, and consequently the total displacement, is assumed to consist of an elastic
and a plastic part. The ow rule, also called the normality criterion, states that the plastic dis-
placement vector must be normal to a dened plastic potential Q. For ductile steel materials,
the yield function can be taken as the plastic potential, and thus the ow rule reads
v
p
= G =
_
g
1
0
0 g
2
_ _
2
_
(3.14)
where g
j
is the surface normal at node j which, for an elastic-perfectly-plastic material, is
given by:
g
T
j
=
y
S
=
_
y
N
,
y
V
y
,
y
V
z
,
y
M
x
,
y
M
y
,
y
M
z
,
_
T
j
(3.15)
Index j refers to nodes 1 and 2. The parameter is a scalar, yet unknown, which will be
zero during elastic unloading and positive during plastic loading.
The hardening rule describes the transition from one plastic state to another. Hardening can
be one of the two following types, or a combination of the two:
Kinematic hardening - the yield surface moves but doesnt change shape or extend.
34 3 Finite element software - basis and application
Isotropic hardening - the yield surface extends with increasing plastic deformations, but
doesnt change shape or move.
The current version of USFOS includes only kinematic hardening. Hardening is implemented
according to the bounding surface concept, meaning that in addition to the yield surface
y
a bounding surface, denoted and
b
, is used. The bounding surface is the outer limit of the
expansion / translation of the yield surface, and indicates full plastication:
b
(S
i
, S
pi
,
i
, z
b
) =
y
_
S
i
i
S
pi
z
b
_
= 0, i = 1, . . . , 6 (3.16)
S is the conjugate point having a surface normal g that points in the same direction as the
surface normal g to the force state S on the yielding surface. The bounding surface extension
parameter z
b
is 1. The vector describes the translation of the bounding surface due to
kinematic hardening.
When the cross section is loaded, the force vector moves from origin outwards in some di-
rection, and when it reaches the yielding surface
y
it corresponds to yielding of the extreme
bre in the cross section. Further loading of the cross section makes the yield surface trans-
late, while the force vector remains on the yield surface. If (kinematic) strain hardening is
accounted for in the structural model, the bounding surface
b
also translates, however at a
smaller rate. If the load state is increasing, the yield surface will nally contact the bounding
surface, meaning that the cross section is fully plastied. From this state on, the force vector
will remain on the bounding surface
b
.
Whether a load increment implies plastic straining or elastic (unloading) straining, is deter-
mined by a loading condition. During a load increment that moves the force vector from one
plastic state to another, the force vector must remain on the yield surface. This is obtained by
the following requirement, which is called the consistency criterion:
y
=
y
S
S = g
T
S = 0 (3.17)
Elastic (un)loading implies that the following is true:
y
< 0 (3.18)
The consistency criterion for an elastic-perfectly-plastic material reads:
y
=
y
N
N +
y
V
y
V
y
+
y
V
z
V
z
+
y
M
x
M
x
+
y
M
y
M
y
+
y
M
z
M
z
= 0 (3.19)
The consistency criterion is further used to determine the size of and to establish the
elasto-plastic tangent stiffness matrix, using the assumption that the displacement increment
consists of an elastic and a plastic part together with the stiffness relation for the element.
3.3 Finite element formulation 35
3.3.4 Analysis using USFOS
The equation system is by default solved by use of a pure incremental solution procedure,
however, the analyst may specify the use of equilibrium iterations.
Static pushover analysis
The load is applied in steps, implying that a full linear analysis is run at each load step. The
structural geometry and state based on the introduction of plastic hinges is updated after each
load step. If a plastic hinge is introduced during a load step, the load step is scaled to coincide
exactly with the load level for the occurrence of the plastic hinge.
The analyst species the load history to be used. Normally, permanent design loads are
applied rst during a few load steps. Thereafter, the load for which one seeks to obtain the
static capacity is applied stepwise until global collapse occurs.
The major outcome of a static pushover analysis is a load-displacement curve a resistance
curve for a given load scenario. The resistance curve contains information about the
global collapse load or capacity as well as insight into the (nonlinear) behaviour in the pre-
and post-collapse domain.
Dynamic analysis
Load specication for dynamic (nonlinear) analysis comprises the load magnitude and spatial
distribution as well as the time variation in the form of a scaling factor that is time dependent.
Node and element loads as well as gravity loads, for example, are specied by a reference
numerical value and a time history. A wave load time history, on the other hand, is specied
by wave height, period, water depth and direction and a phase angle for the start of the
analysis. This information comprises both the spatial distribution and the time variation.
The time step size used in the analysis must be determined considering the nature of the load
history, the natural period of the structure and the amount of plastic behaviour experienced
by the structure due to the load history.
The HHT- method (Hilber et al., 1977) for numeric time integration is adopted (Sreide
et al., 1993). This method can be considered as an extension of the Newmark -method,
which is used for the simplied analyses in Chapters 6 and 7. The algorithmincludes the three
parameters , and , which in combination control accuracy, stability and high frequency
damping. The method is unconditionally stable if the following conditions are satised:
1
3
< < 0
=
1
2
=
1
4
(1 )
2
36 3 Finite element software - basis and application
The results from a dynamic nonlinear analysis comprise response time histories of e.g. nodal
displacements, velocities and accelerations as well as time histories of element forces and
reaction forces. In general, the nonlinear performance obtained for a specic load history is
relevant for this single load history only.
Chapter 4
Environment and forces
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Chapter outline
This chapter comprises considerations related to wave-in-deck force time histories.
This rst section is a summary of the chapter and is followed by a brief introduction and
motivation.
Typical characteristics for the North Sea environment are summarised in Section 4.2, whereas
some considerations regarding wave time history and wave theories are presented in Section
4.3. Modelling of the wave forces on a jacket structure is briey explained in Section 4.4.
Section 4.5 presents the most commonly used methods and mathematical formulations for
wave-in-deck forces. The methods are divided into two main groups, namely component
models and global or silhouette models. The silhouette models are again subdivided into
two groups, those based on drag formulation and those based on loss-of-momentum formu-
lation. The difference between these two types of silhouette models is particularly addressed
in Section 4.5.3.
In Section 4.6 it is demonstrated how to analytically calculate wave-in-deck force histories
based on linear wave theory. Further, it is described how one can use Stokes 5th order theory
in a computer program to calculate simplied force time histories.
Forces calculated by the simplied methods described in Section 4.6 are compared to each
other in Section 4.7.1, and to computational results in Section 4.7.2. Results from wave tank
experiments on wave-in-deck forces are presented and discussed in Section 4.8.
Vertical wave-in-deck forces are briey discussed in Section 4.9.
Section 4.10 deals with the relevance of the load time history prior to the extreme wave event.
A conclusion of the chapter including a recommended formula for calculating wave-in-deck
loads is presented in Section 4.11.
37
38 4 Environment and forces
4.1.2 Motivation
For a dynamic analysis of xed offshore jacket structures exposed to wave-in-deck loading,
it is not evident which wave (-history) to use. In a static analysis, a worst case scenario is
used, e.g. a 100 years wave (ULS situation) or a 10 000 years wave (ALS situation) with
corresponding periods. This single wave represents all smaller waves. In a dynamic analysis,
a smaller wave with a period that could cause dynamic amplication could theoretically be
more onerous, resulting in higher load effects. For an impact load, the form and duration of
the load impulse are of main importance (Biggs, 1964). The load history prior to the extreme
wave may also inuences the dynamic response.
4.2 Environment
Wind
Wind loads on xed offshore structures must be calculated and included in the structural ana-
lyses in accordance with relevant regulations for the platform location. Wind forces represent
a relatively small part of the total environmental loading and are normally not a point of
concern for the load bearing capacity of a conventional jacket. The topic of wind forces will
not be further addressed herein. However, for major structural parts, such as for instance are
towers, wind has to be considered particularly with respect to vortex shedding and subsequent
fatigue damage.
Current
NORSOK N-003 (1999) states that current for design purposes should be based on measure-
ments at the actual and adjacent sites, in addition to hindcast predictions of wind induced
currents, theoretical considerations and other information about tidal and coastal currents. In
order to limit the present work, current has not been a topic of investigation. However, a
surface current of 1 m/s is included in the structural analyses.
Waves
Typical wave heights and periods for return periods of 100 and 10 000 years in the southern
and northern North Sea respectively can be as follows (Eik, 2005; NORSOK N-003, 1999):
Southern North Sea Northern North Sea
h
100
= 26 m T
100
= 15.5 16 s h
100
= 28 m T
100
= 15.5 s
h
10000
= 33 m T
10000
= 16 16.5 s h
10000
= 35 m T
10000
= 16.3 s
Other combinations of wave heights and periods, which give the same probability of occur-
rence, can be obtained in the form of contour diagrams and should also be taken into account
4.3 Wave time history and wave kinematics 39
(NORSOK N-003, 1999). Contour diagrams provide a valuable basis for decision on rele-
vant combinations of wave height and period, see Haver and Kleiven (2004) wherein contour
diagrams for signicant wave height h
s
and spectral peak period T
p
are given. Because the
dynamic load effect depends upon the relation between the period of the loading and the natu-
ral period of the structure, it might for dynamic problems in addition be necessary to consider
combinations of h and T giving a different probability of occurrence.
Waves of these heights are steep, irregular waves. For a deterministic approach such waves
are normally described by Stokes wave theory or Stream function theory. Both theories ac-
count for higher crest heights than trough depths. However, linear wave theory with Wheeler
stretching
1
of wave kinematics to the surface (see e.g. Gudmestad, 1993) could be used due
to the possibility of analytical representation of the load time history. Generating force time
histories using Stokes or Stream function wave theory requires computer tools.
4.3 Wave time history and wave kinematics
Reanalysis of offshore structures, in particular where wave-in-deck loads are expected to be
a problem, should include simulation of dynamic structural response in storm situations with
irregular waves. Under such conditions, there might be one or more waves that bring the re-
sponse into the non-linear domain. There are these situations that need special considerations,
i.e. non-linear dynamic analysis. Using the waves that cause concern in the linear simula-
tions, including a few wave cycles prior to the extreme wave, will be an obvious approach.
If the software used for non-linear analysis is not capable of analysing irregular waves, the
wave history may be approximated by a sequence of regular waves.
Linear Airy wave theory with extrapolation or Wheeler stretching of wave kinematics to the
surface has a relatively simple analytical formulation which in turn permits an analytical
representation of the force time history. However, linear theory does not to a satisfactory
degree describe real ocean waves.
State-of-practice for mathematical representation of North Sea waves is to use Stokes 5th
order wave theory. As mentioned, computer software is required to calculate force time
histories based on Stokes or Stream function wave theory.
4.4 Wave load on jacket structure
In accordance with state-of-practice, Morison equation (e.g. Chakrabarti, 1987) is used to
calculate wave forces on the jacket structure below deck level.
1
Other commonly used methods are Delta stretching and vertical extrapolation of wave kinematics (Gudmestad,
1993; ISO/CD 19902, 2001; NORSOK N-003, 1999).
40 4 Environment and forces
4.5 Wave-in-deck load models
There is no general consensus on which method to use to calculate wave loads on platform
decks. Several approaches exist, some veried against experimental data, some not. The
methods can be divided into two main groups; rstly the global / silhouette approaches,
which use an effective deck area combined with pressure induced by the water particles,
and secondly the detailed component approaches where the load on each single members is
calculated separately.
Unless the deck is extremely simple and lightly equipped, the use of component methods
is relatively resource consuming. The use of such models is appropriate for (re)analysis of
specic structures, whereas the silhouette approaches are suitable for e.g. sensitivity studies
and general studies on structural behaviour.
The British Health and Safety Executive has conducted a comparative study of wave-in-deck
load models (HSE, 1997b), comprising the API model, DNV slamming, Shell-, Amoco-,
Kaplan- and Chevron models. They are, together with some other approaches, attended to in
the following.
4.5.1 Component approaches
In the component approaches one seeks to estimate wave loading on each deck member and
all equipment separately. Interaction between different structural components can be taken
into account by using shielding or blocking factors, which can be determined by experiments
(see e.g. Sterndorff, 2002) or computational uid dynamics (CFD) technique. Obviously,
when using this kind of approach, the deck must be modeled in detail. The amount of equip-
ment and members in a normal platform deck necessitates, for practical purposes, computer
software to carry out the calculations. Software based on the recommendations by dr. Kap-
lan (Kaplan et al., 1995) is commercially available. Further, Finnigan and Petrauskas (1997)
have given recommendations for how to calculate maximum load from wave on deck.
Other references in general outline the principles they have applied in specic studies, rather
than presenting a method to be used by others.
More detailed information about the different methods is given in the following.
Company internal models Amoco (now part of BP) has a company internal wave-in-deck
load model, which was made available to HSE for comparison purposes (HSE, 1997b). It
requires a detailed deck model.
Kaplan et al.s (1995) model uses stretched (Wheeler, 1970) linear wave theory and re-
quires a detailed deck model. The model includes drag, inertia and impact loads as well as
buoyancy. The formulation handles both horisontal and vertical forces and includes time
variation.
4.5 Wave-in-deck load models 41
Finnigan and Petrauskas (1997) model, which is denoted Chevron model in the com-
parative study conducted by HSE (1997b), is based on regular Stream function wave theory
and Morison equation, with direction- and equipment density dependent drag and inertia
coefcients. Only horisontal loads are addressed. The method is calibrated against tests
reported in the reference document. Focus is on maximum loads, and load variation with
time is not addressed. The procedure cannot just like that be extended to include variation
in time.
Pawsey et al. (1998) developed a procedure based on Kaplans recommendations but modi-
ed to use Stream function wave theory. Modeling of dense deck areas is somewhat simpli-
ed. The procedure was calibrated to Kaplans software. The integration of the wave-in-deck
load module into the wave-load generator in the analysis software, thus including the phase
difference for load on deck and load on jacket, is emphasised. This eliminates the conser-
vatism in adding maximum load on the deck to maximum load on the jacket, which has been
state-of-practice for static analyses.
DHI WaveInDeck (DHIWID) (Grnbech et al., 2001) This is commercially available soft-
ware that computes time domain wave-in-deck forces on component level, based on the
recommendations given by Kaplan (1992). The program handles the most commonly used
wave kinematics models as well as deterministic and stochastic waves. The program is
based on the concept of change in momentum, and includes also drag and buoyancy forces.
4.5.2 Silhouette models
The silhouette models are of two kinds; those based on drag formulation and those based on
momentum formulation. The notation is illustrated in Figure 4.1.
u
w
(z, t)
s
d
(t)
Platform deck
c, wave celerity
Figure 4.1: Notation for simplied wave-in-deck force formulations
42 4 Environment and forces
Drag formulation
The drag based silhouette wave-in-deck models have in common the typical drag formulation
known from Morison equation. The absolute value of the load is given by
F
x
=
1
2
AC
d
u
2
w
(4.1)
where is sea water density u
w
is the water particle velocity, A = s
d
b is the exposed
area, s
d
is the inundation (height) and b the width of the inundated area. The drag factor
C
d
(sometimes called slamming factor and denoted C
s
) is chosen to account for different
loading scenarios. These models are typically intended for calculation of maximum load, but
the simple formulation makes them also easy to apply for time domain analyses, noting that
the particle velocity u
w
and the inundated area A are time dependent variables. However,
time variation has not been addressed for any of the presented models. Accordingly the
models have not been subject to time domain comparison with e.g. more detailed methods or
experiments.
The wave-in-deck force models in this group are briey presented in the following.
In the API model (API WSD, 2002; API LRFD, 2003; Finnigan and Petrauskas, 1997) C
d
is varied between 1.2 and 2.5 according to the wave direction and the equipment den-
sity on the deck. The water particle velocity u
w
contains a sum of current velocity and
wave induced particle velocity, as well as a current blockage factor and a wave kinemat-
ics factor. The method is validated against model tests that are reported by Finnigan and
Petrauskas (1997). The wave induced particle velocity shall be taken as the highest ve-
locity at the crest (or the top of the exposed area if the wave crest extends above the deck
silhouette).
The ISO procedure (ISO/CD 19902, 2001) is directly adopted from API (see above).
Det Norske Veritas (1991) has the following formulation, similar to the well known Mori-
son equation, for slamming forces:
F
x
=
1
2
AC
s
u
2
w
(4.2)
This formulation is used by Dalane and Haver (1995) and Haver (1995) to calculate ho-
risontal wave-in-deck loads, and is referred to as the Statoil method in the comparative
study conducted by HSE (1997b). The formulation is similar to the API formulation
presented above. The deck is assumed to be solid, i.e. the total impact area is used with
no modications related to equipment density. Water particle velocity is taken to be the
velocity at a representative height with respect to the exposed area, e.g. in the center
of the exposed area, and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) requires the slamming coefcient
C
s
(corresponding to APIs drag coefcient) not to be less than 3.0. A is the exposed
area, is sea water density and u
w
is the water particle velocity. Only horisontal loads
4.5 Wave-in-deck load models 43
are included. In the latest edition DNV (Det Norske Veritas, 2000) suggest the use of
C
s
= 2 for vertical on bottom slamming.
The formulation was basically intended for vertical loads on horisontal cylinders (braces),
for wedge entry into water and at bottom slamming. Clearly, the validity related to
calculation of wave in deck forces can be questioned. This issue has been addressed by
Vinje (2002). The conclusion is that the identication of a proper slamming coefcient is
a problemand that this drag type formulation is unsuitable for calculation of wave-in-deck
forces.
Momentum formulation
This type of formulation is based on the assumption of complete loss of momentum at impact,
which in a general manner can be expressed as
F
x
(t) =
_
A(t)
dm
dt
u
w
(z, t) dA (4.3)
where dm/dt is the net mass ow imparted onto the structure per unit time and unit area and
u
w
is the water particle velocity. A is the exposed area, which is a function of the surface
elevation , which again is a function of time. The formulation makes it relatively convenient
to calculate load as a function of time. This type of formulation does not include any empirical
factors, such as slamming- or drag factors, and in principle any appropriate wave theory can
be used. It is assumed that the water particles that hit the deck will be thrown away having
no further inuence on the deck, and that the presence of the deck does not inuence the
particle movement before the particle hits the deck.
Shell To the authors knowledge there exists no open detailed rsthand reference for this
method. A few sentences about the background for the Shell-method is roughly outlined by
Tromans and van de Graaf (1992). The present information about the Shell method is taken
from the comparative study conducted by HSE (1997b).
Although not explicitly stated in the reference, it is interpreted from the text that the ho-
risontal water particle velocity is to be taken as the velocity at the water surface z = . Thus
must be substituted for z in Equation 4.3. Horisontal forces as a function of time are cal-
culated on front wall and during passage of the wave under the deck as the wave enters the
deck from beneath. The net mass ow to be substituted into Equation 4.3 for wave impact
on the front wall is expressed as
dm
dt
= u
w
(, t) (4.4)
where is the sea water density. The horisontal force at the front wall is expressed as
follows:
F(t) =
_
A(t)
(u
w
(, t))
2
dA (4.5)
44 4 Environment and forces
The net mass ow onto the deck as the wave passes under the deck is given as
dm
dt
= v
w
(, t) (4.6)
where v
w
(, t) is the vertical water particle velocity. The horisontal force as the wave passes
under the deck is given as:
F(t) =
_
A(t)
v
w
(, t)u
w
(, t) dA (4.7)
Although not included in the description of the procedure, extension to include vertical loads
is possible by using the same principle as for horisontal loads (HSE, 1997b).
MSL (HSE, 2001, 2003) The MSL method is developed from the previously described Shell
model, and is intended for the closed hull-type of decks found on jack-up platforms. The
procedure comprises horisontal slamming force on the front wall, vertical hydrodynamic
force and buoyancy, all as a function of time.
Vinje (2001) expresses the net mass ow dependent upon the wave celerity c = L/T, not
the water particle velocity:
dm
dt
= c dA (4.8)
In the expression for the celerity c the wave length L can be calculated from
L =
gT
2
2
tanh kd (4.9)
by use of an iterative procedure, since k = 2/L. Vinje has only addressed the impact force
at the front wall, and the total expression for the force as a function of time is:
F(t) = c
_
A(t)
u
w
(z, t) dA (4.10)
4.5.3 Comments to the silhouette approaches
The two types of formulation of the silhouette approaches the drag formulation and the
momentum formulation differ in nature. The drag formulation is only dened for slam-
ming forces from waves at the deck front wall.
The drag factor C
d
is in its original form meant to be a global representation of pressure
caused by the local owphenomena summarised around a body. In principle it is not incorrect
to let the drag factor represent the sum of local ow induced pressure at wave inundation.
4.5 Wave-in-deck load models 45
However, it is likely that the global effect of the pressure summarised over the inundated area
might differ for different inundation levels. A given C
d
might therefore be representative for
a given inundation level, but not for another. Following this, it is likely that the C
d
, in order
to be representative, should change as the inundation increases and then decreases during the
wave passage past the front wall of the deck.
The ratio of a general drag formulation (subscript dr) to the Shell or MSL type of formula-
tion (subscript mo) is constant throughout the wave cycle:
F
dr
(t)
F
mo
(t)
=
C
d
2
(4.11)
This means that a drag formulation with an equivalent drag factor C
d,eq
= 2 will give the
same result as a momentum formulation with dm/dt = u
w
.
Now comparing a general drag formulation with the Vinje (subscript Vi) approach:
F
dr
F
Vi
=
0.5 C
d
_
A(t)
(u
w
(z, t))
2
dA
c
_
A(t)
u
w
(z, t) dA
=
C
d
2 c
_
A(t)
(u
w
(z, t))
2
dA
_
A(t)
u
w
(z, t) dA
C
d
2 c
u
w,max
_
A(t)
u
w
(z, t) dA
_
A(t)
u
w
(z, t) dA
C
d
u
w,max
2 c
(4.12)
Clearly the relation between the two methods will vary through a wave cycle. Based on
Equation 4.12, a lower bound for an equivalent drag / slamming factor (e.g. for use in nite
element software when generating wave loads with drag formulation) can be found:
C
d,eq
2 c
u
max
(4.13)
Examples of how C
d,eq
may vary with time will be given in later sections in this chapter.
4.5.4 A practical approach to the use of drag formulation in the time
domain
The method outlined in the following only takes the horisontal pressure on the upstream deck
wall into account. It is assumed that the water particle movements are not disturbed prior
46 4 Environment and forces
to the contact with the deck wall, and that the top of the wave is being shaved off at the
lower edge of the deck. The forces are calculated using a drag formulation combined with
the exposed area and the particle velocity at the actual height. An appropriate value for the
drag factor C
d
must be used. By use of cylindrical vertical elements at the location of the
deck front wall for the actual wave heading, the wave load time histories can be generated
separately or together with the wave load on the jacket by any FE software that includes a
wave load generator, for any wave theory that is included in the software.
This approach yields an approximation for the wave-in-deck loading and makes the calcu-
lations very convenient. The chosen C
d
may calibrate the (maximum) force to e.g. other
silhouette models.
4.6 Calculation of simplied load time histories for the load
onto the deck
Analytical calculation of load time histories is relatively simple when combining the silhou-
ette methods with Airy theory. If using Stokes or Stream Function theory, the approach
described in Section 4.5.4 can be used, alternatively computer tools that serve the purpose
are required.
In the following, derivation of expressions for force time histories will be given based on
a general drag formulation and the Vinje formulation using linear Airy theory. The use of
Stokes 5th order wave theory for the same task is attended to separately. The notation used
is illustrated in Figure 4.2. Note that the drag formulation used includes the variation in time
and space for the water particle velocity.
d
h z
z
d
SWL
Seabed
Figure 4.2: Nomenclature for calculation of force impulse
4.6 Calculation of simplied load time histories for the load onto the deck 47
4.6.1 Derivation of deck force time history using drag formulation and
Airy theory
Horisontal particle velocity according to Airy theory (Chakrabarti, 1987) including Wheeler
stretching of kinematics to the surface is given as
u
w
(z, t) =
h
T
cosh
_
k(d +z)
d
d+(t)
_
sinh kd
sin (4.14)
where = kx t is the phase angle of the wave. Substituting Equation 4.14 for u
w
in
Equation 4.2, assuming that the wave does not break at the rst impact, yields:
F
x
(t) =
1
2
C
s
_
A(t)
(u
w
(z, t))
2
dA
=
1
2
C
s
b
_
(t)
z
d
(u
w
(z, t))
2
dz
=
1
2
C
s
b
_
(t)
z
d
_
_
h
T
cosh
_
k(d +z)
d
d+(t)
_
sinh kd
sin
_
_
2
dz
=
1
2
C
s
b
2
h
2
sin
2
T
2
sinh
2
kd
_
(t)
z
d
cosh
2
_
k(d +z)
d
d +(t)
_
dz
=
1
2
C
s
b
2
h
2
T
2
sinh
2
kd
_
z
2
+
d +(t)
4kd
sinh
_
2k(d +z)
d
d +(t)
__
(t)
z
d
sin
2
=
1
4
C
s
b
2
h
2
T
2
sinh
2
kd
_
(t) z
d
+
d +(t)
2kd
sinh (2kd)
d +(t)
2kd
sinh
_
2k(d +z
d
)
d
d +(t)
__
sin
2
(4.15)
Substituting (t) =
h
2
sin :
F
x
(t) =
1
4
C
s
b
2
h
2
T
2
sinh
2
kd
_
h
2
sin z
d
+
d +
h
2
sin
2kd
sinh (2kd)
d +
h
2
sin
2kd
sinh
_
2k(d +z
d
)
d
d +
h
2
sin
_
_
sin
2
(4.16)
Using this expression, time histories for wave forces acting on the topside can be established.
These time histories can now, dependent on the size of the deck overhang, be phased differ-
ently compared to the wave forces acting on the load bearing structure, i.e. the jacket.
48 4 Environment and forces
4.6.2 Derivation of deck force time history using Vinje method and Airy
theory
Horisontal particle velocity u
w
(z, t) according to Airy theory as given in Equation 4.14 is
substituted in Equation 4.10, giving:
F
x
(t) = c
_
A(t)
u
w
(z, t) dA
= c b
_
(t)
z
d
u
w
(z, t)dz
= c b
_
(t)
z
d
_
_
h
T
cosh
_
k(d +z)
d
d+(t)
_
sinh kd
sin
_
_
dz
=
c b h sin
T sinh kd
_
(t)
z
d
cosh
_
k(d +z)
d
d +(t)
_
dz
=
c b h
T sinh kd
_
d +(t)
kd
sinh
_
k(d +z)
d
d +(t)
__
(t)
z
d
sin
=
c b h
T sinh kd
d +(t)
kd
_
sinh (kd) sinh
_
k(d +z
d
)
d
d +(t)
__
sin (4.17)
Substituting (t) = h/2 sin :
F
x
(t) =
c b h
T sinh kd
d +
h
2
sin
kd
_
sinh kd sinh
_
k(d +z
d
)
d
d +
h
2
sin
__
sin (4.18)
This is the expression for deck wave force variation with time. Again, this time history can
be phased differently compared to the wave forces acting on the jacket in order to model
different deck overhang.
4.6.3 Deck force time history using Stokes 5th order theory and drag or
Vinje formulation
For the more complicated formulation of Stokes 5th order wave theory, numerical integration,
i.e. a computer program, is required for calculation of wave-in-deck load time histories. The
4.7 Comparison of load estimates 49
program must calculate the depth prole for the particle velocity and acceleration for one
given phase angle (coordinate relative to wave length). This must be repeated for every time
step in order to create a velocity / acceleration time history. Summarising the velocities
over the deck height and using the drag or the Vinje approach to calculated forces yields a
corresponding force time history (for the deck only).
4.7 Comparison of load estimates
4.7.1 Comparison of loads established using simplied methods
The different formulations given in Sections 4.6.1 to 4.6.3 are compared using unit deck
width:
Airy theory / drag formulation, C
d
= 5.54
Airy theory / Vinje formulation
Stokes 5th theory / drag formulation, C
d
= 4.02
Stokes 5th theory / Vinje formulation
The drag factors C
d
for the drag formulations are chosen deliberately in order to calibrate the
maximum force obtained by drag formulation to the maximum force obtained by Vinje for-
mulation (for Airy- and Stokes waves, respectively). Note that these drag factors are consid-
erably larger than the minimum requirement for cylinders suggested in the previous version
of Class Note 30.5 by DNV (Det Norske Veritas, 1991). The newest version (Det Norske
Veritas, 2000), however, suggest a value of 2, which is more in line with the C
d
values con-
sidered above. A wave with h = 33 m and T = 15 s is used, in a water depth of d = 75 m.
A wave with these properties has a crest height of
max
= 16.5 m according to linear theory.
However, according to Stokes 5th order theory the crest height is 20.98 m. In order to do a
relevant comparison, the deck freeboard z
d
is chosen to give a deck inundation of 0.5 m for
both wave theories. The surface proles are illustrated in Figure 4.3.
0 5 10 15
20
0
20
Time [s]
S
u
r
f
a
c
e
e
l
e
v
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
]
Linear (Airy)
Stokes 5th
Figure 4.3: Surface elevation
50 4 Environment and forces
The results are shown in Figure 4.4. Note that for each wave theory respectively, the Vinje
approach does not differ notably from the drag formulation for the chosen C
d
s. For the
Airy theory, the differences between the Vinje and the drag formulation vary from 0 to 2.7%
through the time history, and for the Stokes theory the differences are 0 to 2%, see Figure 4.5.
0 5 10 15
0
50
100
150
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
k
N
]
Airy / drag
Airy / Vinje
Stokes 5th / drag
Stokes 5th / Vinje
Figure 4.4: Comparison of simplied wave-in-deck calculations, wave-in-deck impact force
2 3 4 5 6
0.97
0.98
0.99
1.00
Time [s]
F
d
r
/
F
V
i
Linear (Airy)
Stokes 5th
Figure 4.5: Drag force divided by Vinje force
Although the chosen C
d
is smaller when using Stokes 5th order theory, the maximum force is
considerably larger than for Airy theory. This is due to the higher crest velocity. On the other
hand, because of the steeper crest, the Stokes case has a shorter lasting load impact history.
Equivalent drag factor as a function of time can be obtained by solving F
dr
= F
Vi
with
respect to C
d
. The result is shown for Airy theory and Stokes 5th order theory respectively
in Figure 4.6. Using Airy theory, C
d,eq
varies between 5.54 and 5.69, whereas for Stokes 5th
order theory C
d,eq
varies from 4.02 to 4.10.
With the small differences between the drag and the Vinje approach in mind, the question
of which formulation to use drag or momentum becomes less important. Instead, the
4.7 Comparison of load estimates 51
2 3 4 5 6
5.55
5.60
5.65
5.70
Time [s]
C
d
,
e
q
(a) C
d,eq
Airy theory
2 3 4 5 6
4.00
4.02
4.04
4.06
4.08
4.10
4.12
Time [s]
C
d
,
e
q
(b) C
d,eq
Stokes 5th order theory
Figure 4.6: Equivalent drag factors for drag formulations
relevant question becomes which drag factor to use, alternatively which denition of rate of
mass to use, dm/dt = u
w
or dm/dt = c.
4.7.2 Simplied methods compared to computational results reported
by Iwanowski et al. (2002)
This section documents comparison of force time histories obtained by the simplied meth-
ods described in Section 4.6 with reported force time histories computed with more advanced
methods. Note that the methods in Section 4.6 include forces on the front wall only.
Only Stokes 5th order theory will be used, since linear (Airy) theory is not really applicable
for the waves relevant for wave-in-deck forces. Based on the conclusion in the last paragraph
of Section 4.7.1, it is chosen to calculate the wave-in-deck force time history in two different
ways:
Traditional momentum approach with dm/dt = u
w
(identical to drag formulation with
C
d
= 2), in the following denoted Mom, + Stokes 5th order theory
Momentum formulation with dm/dt = c (Vinje approach), in the following denoted
Mom-Vinje, + Stokes 5th order theory
Iwanowski et al. (2002) presented and compared wave-in-deck load time histories calculated
by use of different software. Three programs, of two different types, were used :
Analytical methodologies; PLATFORM program by Dr.Kaplan utilising momentum dis-
placement and Morison equation
Computational uid dynamics (CFD) technique; FSWL-2D and FLOW-3D programs
using nite difference algorithms to solve the Navier-Stokes equation and volume of
uid (VOF) method to describe the free surface ow.
52 4 Environment and forces
The results from the PLATFORM program were used as reference values when comparing
the different methods.
The calculations were carried out for a 100 years design wave for the Ekosk eld in the
North Sea with the characteristics h = 24.3 m, T = 14.5 s and d = 80 m. The crest height
is, using Stokes 5th order theory, calculated to be
max
= 14.32 m. Calculations were carried
out for both Airy and Stokes 5th order waves with FSWL-2D and FLOW-3D, as well as by the
PLATFORM program, which is based on Airy waves modied by Wheeler stretching. The
Airy waves used in FSWL-2D and FLOW-3D programs are not modied by e.g. Wheeler
stretching, and therefore give unrealistically large particle velocities in the crest. Only the
results arising from the use of Stokes 5th order wave theory are considered herein.
The three cases reported by Iwanowski et al. are used for the purpose of comparison, com-
prising two different deck layouts; one simple box and one model of the deck of Ekosk 2/4
C platform. The simple box is analysed for two inundation levels; 2 m and 4 m, whereas the
2/4 C deck is analysed for 1.5 m inundation.
Simple box, 2 m inundation
The wave forces were calculated for a simple box being 30 m wide (normal to the wave
propagation direction) with wave inundation 2 m (Iwanowski et al., 2002). The Iwanowski
force histories are compared to the force histories calculated in the present project in Figure
4.7.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0
2
4
6
8
10
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Stokes3D FLOW3D
Stokes2D FLOW3D
Stokes2D FSWL2D
PLATFORM
Mom / Stokes
MomVinje / Stokes
Figure 4.7: Comparison of simplied load calculations and Iwanowski results for simple box,
inundation 2 m
The forces calculated by Iwanowski et al. for the Stokes wave show all quite similar trends.
The start and end time for the forces are essentially the same and the maximum values range
from 2.8 MN to 3.5 MN. The maximum force calculated by PLATFORM agrees well with
the maximum force calculated using CFD technique, but the load history has a considerably
longer duration due to the longer crest for Airy wave. The Vinje formulation yields a maxi-
mum total of 10.14 MN. This is considerably larger than the values computed by Iwanowski
4.7 Comparison of load estimates 53
et al..The explanation could be that Vinjes formula assumes that the horisontal water momen-
tum is being stopped by the deck while some water particles in practice are being distorted
upon impact with the deck. The Mom formulation, however, has a maximum force of 3.4
MN which agrees well with the Iwanowski results. The shape of the impulses are similar,
however the CFD-results are somewhat skewed towards the start time, while the simplied
approaches by their nature produce symmetric force histories.
Simple box, 4 m inundation
For an inundation of 4 m, the Iwanowski force histories are compared to the force histories
calculated in the present project in Figure 4.8.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
5
0
5
10
15
20
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Stokes3D FLOW3D
Stokes2D FLOW3D
Stokes2D FSWL2D
PLATFORM
Mom / Stokes
MomVinje / Stokes
Figure 4.8: Comparison of simplied load calculations and Iwanowski results for simple box,
inundation 4 m
The trends are the same as for an inundation of 2 m, except that the force magnitudes are
larger. Again, the Vinje approach overestimates the maximum force (19.9 MN) considerably
compared to the CFD-results (7-9 MN for FLOW-3D and FSWL-2D, 6.35 MN for PLAT-
FORM) and the drag formulation (6.5 MN).
Simplied 2/4 C deck
Iwanowski et al. calculated the wave loads for a simple deck consisting of a lower box
measuring 42.6 m x 30 m x 1.5 m centrally attached to an upper box measuring 53.1 m x 42
m x 10 m (all measures given as length x width x height, where width is measured normal to
the wave heading). The wave inundation is 1.5 m, i.e. reaching but not entering the oor of
the upper box. A deck width of 30 m is therefore used for calculation of loads by simplied
methods.
The PLATFORM program and drag formulation with C
d
= 2 seem to agree well for the
maximum force value, but PLATFORM yields again a much longer impulse duration, see
Figure 4.9. The CFD methods compute larger peak forces, which agrees better with the
54 4 Environment and forces
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0
2
4
6
8
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Stokes3D FLOW3D
Stokes2D FLOW3D
Stokes2D FSWL2D
PLATFORM
Mom / Stokes
MomVinje / Stokes
Figure 4.9: Comparison of simplied load calculations and Iwanowski results for simplied
2/4 C deck, inundation 1.5 m
Vinje formulation. The CFD techniques are able to compute the local uid ow in the corner
between the lower and the upper box more accurately. Water is trapped in this corner, with
the high peak as a result. The simplied methods used in the present project are, as already
mentioned, only able to predict symmetric force histories on the front wall.
A sharp peak characterises the CFD results, where the load within half a second rapidly in-
creases from zero to maximum and decreases to about 1/5 of the maximum force. Thereafter
the force further decreases more slowly within about half a second to zero, or temporarily
somewhat below zero.
Summary
Clearly, if using the CFD results reported by Iwanowski et al. as a basis for validation,
the simplied methods presented herein are not able to accurately predict wave-in-deck load
histories. However, a representative load history for a simple hull or box type of deck can
probably be produced, see Figures 4.7 and 4.8. It is, however, always important to consider
the objective of the analyses. For detailed (re-)analyses meant to document the performance
of actual structures, simplied methods are not adequate.
4.8 Available experimental data for wave-in-deck loading
4.8.1 Introduction
Wave-in-deck forces are sensitive to the size of the wave inundation, i.e. crest height. During
experiments with regular waves, the crest height of measured waves may vary much more
4.8 Available experimental data for wave-in-deck loading 55
than the wave height (Sterndorff, 2002). When comparing measured and numerically pre-
dicted data, it is therefore important to pay explicit attention to crest heights, not only the
wave heights.
Gulf of Mexico related experiments reported by Finnigan and Petrauskas (1997) have been
used to calibrate the API procedure and the Chevron procedure. Deck loads are reported at
only one time instant per experiment, assumed to be the time of the maximum load. This
coincides well with the fact that the API and the Chevron procedures aim at estimating max-
imum forces for static structural analysis. Due to lack of information on time variation,
the results from these experiments are considered unsuitable for validation of the simplied
methods described in the present work (however, maximum values calculated by use of API
formulation are given in Table 4.3).
Results from experiments carried out at the Large Wave Channel (der Grosse Wellenkanal) at
Forschungszentrum K uste in Hannover are published by Sterndorff (2002). The experiments
comprise wave force time histories on typical offshore deck elements, both single elements
and element groups, and focus has been on the details of the loading process. However,
since no results are published for complete deck models, the results are not considered in the
present work.
Early in 2002, model tests at scale 1:54 were carried out at Marintek in Trondheim in connec-
tion with a possible late life production scenario for the GBS platform Statfjord A (Stansberg
et al., 2004). Global deck loads and local slamming loads were, amongst others, measured.
The results from the model tests have been interpreted in a condential report from Marine
Technology Consulting AS to Statoil (Statoil, 2002), and recommendations are given regard-
ing which time histories to use for wave-in-deck slamming load when carrying out structural
analyses of Statfjord A in case of seabed subsidence possibly caused by reduced reservoir
pressure. The recommendations from these experiments are attended to in the following.
4.8.2 Experiments at Marintek for Statfjord A (Statoil, 2002)
The Statfjord A experiments were carried out for two water depths: 150.1 and 151.6 m,
corresponding to 0.5 and 2.0 m inundation for the 10 000 years crest of 21.7 m. The impact
forces relating to this crest in these two water depths were estimated to be 75 MN and 105
MN respectively. These values were recommended for reassessment of Statfjord A.
In order to determine a representative load time history, a selection of measured time histories
was investigated. For 150.1 mwater depth, only measured force time histories with maximum
force between 50 and 100 MNwere considered, in total 31 time histories. In the same manner,
only time histories having maximum forces ranging from 80 to 125 MN were investigated for
a water depth of 151.6 m, this left 22 time histories.
In Table 4.1, the recommended horisontal maximum forces F
d,max
and the force at the kink
F
k
(see Figure 4.12) from the Statfjord experiments are shown, together with the computed
results from Iwanowski et al. (2002, note that only the results obtained by Stokes wave and
FLOW-3D program in 3D mode are shown).
56 4 Environment and forces
Table 4.1: Reported horisontal wave-in-deck loads
Reference Iwanowski Statoil Statoil
Type of results CFD 2/4 C deck Experiments Experiments
Wave 100 years 10 000 years 10 000 years
Inundation 1.5 m 0.5 m* 2.0 m*
Deck width 30 m 83.6 m 83.6 m
F
d,max
5.4 MN 75 MN 105 MN
Pressure due to F
d,max
** 0.12 MN/m
2
1.79 MN/m
2
0.63 MN/m
2
F
k
N/A 30 MN 35 MN
*Note that the inundation is calculated from undisturbed wave crest height
**On the inundated area
Besides the fact that neither the inundation level nor the deck width are the same, there are
several reasons that the numbers in Table 4.1 cannot be directly compared:
1. Statfjord A is a GBS platform with a huge base supporting large diameter columns.
Both the presence of the base as well as the reection of waves from the columns result
in amplication of the incoming wave. Stansberg et al. (2004) indicate approximately
20% amplication of the wave height compared to a (undisturbed) regular 30 m wave
with periods of some 16.5 s. Wave-in-deck loads are reported as a function of the crest
height for the undisturbed wave, however they are actually generated by an amplied
wave. As a consequence of this, the real inundation is greater than the value reported by
Statoil (2002) or the above Table 4.1. In fact, some waves that in undisturbed condition
do not enter the deck do also, due to amplication over the base, generate loads.
This may explain the small increase in load, and the corresponding reduced water pres-
sure on the inundated area, for the 2.0 m inundation case in the Statoil experiments
compared to the 0.5 inundation case. Now considering the increase in load caused by
the increased inundation; the 1.5 m increase in inundation corresponds to the load be-
ing increased by 30 MN. The pressure cause by this increase is 30/(1.5 83.6) MN/m
2
= 0.24 MN/m
2
. This measure might be a better indication of the water pressure caused
by a wave that is not subject to amplication, which is the case for waves acting on
jacket platforms.
Ekosk 2/4 C (which is the structure investigated by Iwanowski et al.) is a jacket
platform, for which the wave amplication due to the presence of the structure itself is
negligible. Obviously, the load generated by the amplied wave crest for Statfjord A
cannot therefore directly be compared to the load on the deck of the jacket platform.
2. The Iwanowski results are obtained for a 100 years wave, whereas the Statoil experi-
ments were carried out in order to nd the force time history for a 10 000 years wave.
The former has smaller particle velocity in the crest, and this is obviously reected in
the calculated forces. NORSOK N-003 (1999) recommends the 10 000 year design
wave height to be 25% larger than the 100 year wave height. This leads to, for south-
ern North Sea conditions (see Section 4.2), an increase in the crest particle velocity
4.8 Available experimental data for wave-in-deck loading 57
of some 35%. Assuming that the particle velocity enters square into the load, a 10
000 years Ekosk wave is estimated to give a pressure on the inundated area of 0.22
MN/m
2
. This value corresponds well with the pressure calculated in item 1.
3. The denition of crest front steepness used during interpretation of the Statfjord ex-
periments is s =
max
/(c (0.25 T)) = 4
max
/L. For the 100 years wave used
by Iwanowski this steepness formulation gives s = 0.18. From the waves generated
during the Statfjord experiments, about 3/4 have crest front steepness larger than 0.3.
Thus the majority of the waves forming the background for the estimate of wave-in-
deck force for Statfjord A are considerably steeper than the wave used by Iwanowski.
The general trend for the global deck load is that the normalised time history for the horison-
tal slamming load consists of three lines as shown in Figure 4.10. It is characterised by a
steep linear rise to maximum force, a steep linear decrease to about 0.4 times the maximum
value, and nally a less steep but still linear decrease to zero. The durations for the three
phases are 0.54 s, approximately 0.5 s and 2.1 seconds respectively. These duration values
are representative for the two water depths and corresponding inundation levels reported by
Statoil (2002).
1 0 1 2 3 4 5
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
Time [s]
N
o
r
m
a
l
i
z
e
d
f
o
r
c
e
Statfjord A recommendation
Iwanowski 3D FLOW3D
Figure 4.10: Normalised horisontal wave-in-deck load history, trend from experiments (Sta-
toil, 2002) and computational results (Iwanowski et al., 2002)
It should be noted that this force time history represents a number of experiments in which the
numerical values of both force and duration differ considerably. However, the three-line-trend
is seen in most of the experiments. A single experimental wave-in-deck force time history
reported by Grnbech et al. (2001) supports this nding. This time history was recorded at
the deck during model tests of Ekosk 2/4 C. The three-line-trend is also seen in Iwanowski
et al. (2002) where CFD technique is used to calculate wave-in-deck forces on a simplied
platform deck, see Section 4.7.2 and Figure 4.10.
58 4 Environment and forces
4.9 Vertical loads
Till now, only horisontal forces have been considered. However, a few of the previously
referred publications have treated vertical force time histories as well, that is to say Statoil
(2002) and Iwanowski et al. (2002).
In the Statfjord A wave tank experiment, vertical forces were measured and interpreted (Sta-
toil, 2002). Recommendations for wave-in-deck forces in the form of reference forces (max.
and min.) and time history shape for reassessment of Statfjord A GBS were given.
The recommended design values for maximum positive vertical forces for water depths d =
150.1 m and d = 151.6 m are 67 and 80 MN, respectively, i.e. somewhat smaller than the
horisontal forces (referred in Section 4.8.2). The minimum force, which is negative (suction),
is about 50 - 60% of the value of the maximum force. Note that these values relate to a deck
width of 83.6 m. There is however, considerable uncertainty related to these numbers, and
they should only be regarded a rough but indeed representative outline of the observed wave-
in-deck force. These recommended forces for design are shown in Table 4.2 together with
the forces from the CFD results reported by Iwanowski et al. for 30 m deck width. Note that
only the CFD results obtained by Stokes 3D FLOW-3D are used.
Table 4.2: Reported vertical wave-in-deck forces
Reference Iwanowski Statoil Statoil
Type of results CFD 2/4 C deck Experiments Experiments
Inundation 1.5 m 0.5 m 2.0 m
Deck width 30 m 83.6 m 83.6 m
F
v,max
41 MN 67 MN 80 MN
F
v,min
-22 MN -35 MN -50 MN
The time history for vertical forces recommended for the reanalysis of Statfjord A, which
originates from the Statoil experiments, is characterised by a linear rise from zero to maxi-
mum, with a duration of about 0.5 seconds, thereafter a linear drop to minimum force, which
is negative, in about 1 second. Finally, the force increases linearly from its minimum to zero
in about 3.5 seconds. This recommendation is given on background of 31 measured load his-
tories, to which a representative load time history was tted by means of least square method.
The Statoil recommendation is compared to the Iwanowski CFD results for the simplied
2/4 C deck in Figure 4.11. Both time histories are normalised against their respective max-
imum force. The time variation of the vertical force is essentially the same for these two
independent studies, of which one is theoretical and the other one experimental.
It can be seen that vertical wave-in-deck forces are of considerable magnitude, and act both
upwards and downwards. They result in deck uplift loads, and they give additional com-
pressive forces in platform legs which can lead to different failure modes than the platform
originally was designed to sustain.
Vertical forces should therefore be considered during reassessment of offshore platforms. In
order to limit the present work, vertical loads are not included in this study. It is stated,
4.10 Representative load histories 59
1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
0.50
0
0.50
1.00
0.75
0.25
0.25
0.75
1.25
Time [s]
N
o
r
m
a
l
i
z
e
d
f
o
r
c
e
Statfjord A recommendation
Iwanowski 3D FLOW3D
Figure 4.11: Normalised vertical wave-in-deck force history, trend from experiments (Statoil,
2002) and computational results (Iwanowski et al., 2002)
though, that vertical forces are important in the further study of structural response to wave-
in-deck forces.
4.10 Representative load histories
A number of authors have given recommendations for the pre-history duration to be included
in the wave time history prior to the extreme wave, see the paragraph on this matter on page
24.
4.11 Discussion
Time history for horisontal wave-in-deck loading
It is concluded that most support is found for the trilinear type of (load) time history referred
to in Section 4.8 and Figure 4.10. It is chosen to use this load history in the present project,
however, for practical reasons the start time is rounded to the nearest 1/10 (Figure 4.12).
The load time history is described in full by this time history and a reference load, taken as
the maximum load F
d,max
corresponding to the inundation level in question.
The validity range of the time history in terms of inundation is uncertain. In the reference
report Statoil (2002) this type of time history is reported to be representative for inundation
levels 0.5 m and 2.0 m. However, these levels are calculated based on an undisturbed wave,
whereas the real inundation will be larger due to amplication of the incoming wave over the
gravity base. It is therefore anticipated that the time history is more representative for larger
inundations, and less for smaller inundations. However, for the reason of simplication and
due to the limited amount of data, the time history is used regardless of inundation level in
this work.
60 4 Environment and forces
-0.5
0
0 0.5 2.6
F
d,max
F
k
F
k
= 0.4F
d,max
F
o
r
c
e
Time [s]
Figure 4.12: Time history to be used in analyses in the present work
Reference load F
d,max
for horisontal wave-in-deck loading
It should be noted that the load level for an actual wave-in-deck situation depends on the local
geometry of the deck, which is unknown in the present project. It is, however, decided to use
the regression curves obtained from the experimental data during the Statfjord A experiments
as a basis. The reported experimental data for d = 151.6 m are split into 3 different crest front
steepness ranges. The linear regression curve for steepness s < 0.3 is used (Stansberg et al.,
2004, Figure 9) herein, since the Stokes 5th order waves relevant for the present study will
belong to this range (note that crest front steepness expressed as s =
max
/(c (0.25 T)) =
4
max
/L is dened different than traditional wave steepness). From the uppermost subgure
of Figure 9 in the given reference, the variation of wave-in-deck force with inundation is
found to be 10.9 MN/m. Dividing by the deck width of 83.6 m leaves 0.1304 MN/m
2
. In
order to ommit the inuence of the wave amplication over the gravity base, the load is set to
zero for a wave crest that just reaches the underside of the deck. Larger wave crests generate
forces that are proportional to the inundation with a factor of 0.13 MN per m inundation for
unit deck width:
F
d,max
= 0.13 s
d
b [MN] (4.19)
This equation is related to a 10 000 years wave at the Statfjord eld in the northern North
Sea, with a corresponding crest particle velocity. It is assumed that the particle velocity
enters square into the equation for the force. This is true for both a drag formulation and
a general momentum formulation (but not for the Vinje formulation). In order to allow for
adjustment of the force to represent the actual wave and to include current, Equation 4.19 is
modied as follows:
F
d,max
= 0.13 s
d
b
(u
cs
+u
ce
)
2
u
2
ref
[MN] (4.20)
where u
cs
is the water particle velocity at the wave crest, u
ce
is the current velocity and u
ref
is the particle velocity representing the 10 000 years wave at the Statfjord eld, which by use
4.11 Discussion 61
of Stokes 5th order theory is found to be 9.8 m/s. In Table 4.3 the reference (i.e. maximum)
values for the deck-force calculated by this method for several different scenarios are listed.
Also included is the maximum force calculated by Iwanowski et al. (2002) for the simplied
Ekosk 2/4 C deck, as well as force values calculated according to the Vinje formulation and
the drag formulation recommended in the API regulations with C
d
= 2.0 (API recommends
a drag factor between 1.2 and 2.5, where 2.0 corresponds to end-on or broadside loading of
moderately equipped deck). The forces are calculated for a deck width b = 30 m and an
inundation s
d
= 1.5 m.
Table 4.3: Wave-in-deck forces for a case with s
d
= 1.5 m and b = 30 m
h T d c u
cs
u
ce
F
d,max
Reference Wave type [m] [s] [m] [m/s] [m/s] [m/s] [MN]
Statfjord A 10.000 yr., measured (basis) 36.5 15.8 150 9.80 0 5.87
Statfjord A 100 yr., Eq. 4.20 29.0 14.4 150 8.25 0 4.16
Statfjord A 10.000 yr., API ** 36.5 15.8 150 9.80 0 4.43
Statfjord A 10.000 yr., Vinje formulation 36.5 15.8 150 26.17 9.80 0 11.83
Statfjord A 10.000 yr. + curr., Eq. 4.20 36.5 15.8 150 9.80 1 7.13
Statfjord A 10.000 yr. + curr., API * 36.5 15.8 150 9.80 1 5.38
Iwanowski 100 yr., calc. Iwanowski ** 24.3 14.5 80 N/A N/A 5.40
Iwanowski 100 yr., Eq. 4.20 24.3 14.5 80 7.57 0 3.50
Iwanowski 100 yr., API * 24.3 14.5 80 7.57 0 2.64
Iwanowski 100 yr., Vinje formulation 24.3 14.5 80 22.22 7.57 0 7.76
SNS*** 100 yr., Eq. 4.20 26.0 15.5 75 8.17 0 4.08
SNS 100 yr., API * 26.0 15.5 75 8.17 0 3.08
SNS 10.000 yr., Eq. 4.20 33.0 16.0 75 11.28 0 7.77
SNS 10.000 yr., API * 33.0 16.0 75 11.28 0 5.87
SNS 10.000 yr., Vinje formulation 33.0 16.0 75 23.75 11.28 0 12.36
SNS 10.000 yr. + curr., Eq. 4.20 33.0 16.0 75 11.28 1 9.21
SNS 10.000 yr. + curr., API * 33.0 16.0 75 11.28 1 6.96
* using Cd = 2.0, corresponding to moderately equipped deck, end on / broad side loading
** Calculated by use of CFD methods (Iwanowski et al., 2002)
*** SNS denotes a location in the southern North Sea
Table 4.3 illustrates that the API recommendations with C
d
= 2.0 in general yields lower
forces than Equation 4.20. The fraction is about 75%. If increasing the C
d
to 2.5 (end-on or
broadside loading of heavily equipped / solid deck), the fraction would be 75% 2.5/2.0 =
94%, i.e. Equation 4.20 would still yield conservative forces compared to the API regulations.
It can be shown that the API formulation with C
d
= 2.65 yields the same result for F
d,max
as
Equation 4.20 (API formulation is given by Equation 4.1 with u
w
= u(
max
) = u
cs
+ u
ce
).
The Vinje formulations yields larger forces compared to the other methods. The explana-
tion could be that the formulation is based on the conservative assumption of total loss of
momentum at impact.
62 4 Environment and forces
The maximum force calculated according to Equation 4.20 for the Iwanowski wave is 3.50
MN. This is considerably smaller than the value calculated in the reference paper for this
deck (5.4 MN). However, the API formulation yields even smaller forces only about 50%
of the value calculated by Iwanowski et al.
Conclusion
The above discussion is considered to support Equation 4.20 being a rough but reasonable
estimate for horisontal wave force on deck for an example jacket structure. This equation
together with the force history given in Figure 4.12 is sufcient to establish wave-in-deck
load histories for analyses of (jacket) structures subjected to wave-in-deck loads.
Chapter 5
Time domain analyses
5.1 Introduction
This chapter comprises the static and dynamic analyses of two different jacket platforms,
denoted DS and DE, subjected to extreme wave loading including wave-in-deck loading.
The analyses are carried out using the nonlinear nite element program USFOS.
The objective is to investigate the dynamic effect of wave-in-deck loading, and to compare the
resulting dynamic performance with that obtained using static pushover analysis, the latter
being state-of-art for (re)assessment of jacket structures. Static behaviour is in general a
simplication of a dynamic behaviour a simplication that cannot always be justied, and
of which knowing the implications is essential.
General information relevant for both analysed structural models is given in Section 5.2,
whereas the nite element analyses of jacket models DS and DE are treated in Sections
5.3 and 5.4, respectively. Section 5.5 deals with response acceleration levels and acceptable
acceleration values, and Section 5.6 comprises a discussion related to the results obtained in
this chapter.
5.2 General
5.2.1 Limitations
In order to simplify, damping is not included in the calculations in the present doctoral thesis,
and all initial values of displacement, velocity and acceleration are set to zero. These matters
are discussed at the end of this chapter.
Relative velocity of the structure compared to the water particle velocity is not accounted for
in the calculations of drag forces. NORSOK N-003 (1999) recommends that for structures
63
64 5 Time domain analyses
experiencing small motions i.e. motion amplitudes not exceeding the member diameters
hydrodynamic damping should be included in the form of an equivalent viscous damping
rather than by using relative velocity. The draft ISO/CD 19902 (2001) states that relative
velocity shall not be included for xed structures, but that hydrodynamic damping may be
included through a viscous damping term in the dynamic equilibrium equation. Since (vis-
cous) damping is not included in the analyses herein, no hydrodynamic damping is included.
The consequence is an overestimation of the response. It is further referred to the discussion
regarding the omission of damping in Section 5.6.
5.2.2 Integration of the equation of motion
In USFOS the HHT- method (Hilber et al., 1977) for numeric time integration is adopted
(Sreide et al., 1993). Predictor-Corrector time domain integration is used with integration
parameters controlling high frequency damping = 0.3, = 0.423 and = 0.800.
Convergence criterion for iterations is set to 10
-5
.
5.2.3 Analyses
For each model and its respective load scenarios three analyses are carried out:
1) Traditional static pushover analysis the state-of-art method used to assess the in-
tegrity of existing structures. Pushover analysis provides the static load deformation curve,
also called resistance curve (R
f
), including initial elastic stiffness and ultimate capacity for
the load pattern corresponding to the given wave data and water depth. Note that this is
the type of analysis referred to as static analysis in the following, as opposed to dynamic
analysis.
2) Time domain analysis without effects of inertia and damping, elastic an elastic
static time simulation, in the following denoted quasi-static analysis or static time domain
simulation. The purpose of this analysis is to know the elastic static displacement of the
reference point at the deck at any time, i.e. for varying load distribution and intensity. This
has obviously no meaning anymore if / when the (static) wave load reaches and exceeds the
static capacity.
3) Full dynamic time domain analysis providing response time histories of e.g. dis-
placement, velocity and acceleration as well as base shear and overturning moment.
5.2.4 Loading - general
In order to set the structure in deformed equilibrium position corresponding to permanent
static loads (self weight, weight of equipment and live loads etc.), these load must be applied
in a static manner i.e. without dynamic effects before the dynamic analysis is initiated.
It is chosen to apply the permanent loads without dynamic effects during one second before
5.2 General 65
the dynamic analysis is initiated. Thereafter, the dynamic, i.e. environmental, loads are
applied and the dynamic effects (inertia, and damping if included) are switched on. In this
way, structural motion arising from loads that by nature are static is avoided. This rst static
second is not included in any of the presented results in this chapter.
Details of loading that are unique to the different models are described in connection with the
description of the actual structural model. All details of the structural models are given in the
input les attached in Appendix C.
Self weight
The self weight of all members is generated automatically. In addition, a number of node
masses representing e.g. deck weight and weight of equipment are applied.
Wind
No wind loads are included in the analyses.
Hydrodynamic loads
Wave load on jacket structure The wave load is specied by wave theory, wave height (h),
period (T), direction, phase and water depth (d). The wave load histories are generated by
USFOS. Stoke 5th order theory (Skjelbreia and Hendrickson, 1960) is used, and the structure
is subjected to one wave cycle. The load histories are based on a wave with and annual
probability of exceedance of 10
-4
(a 10 000 years wave), and the water depth is varied in
order to represent different levels of subsidence. Tide and storm surge is assumed to be
included in the different water depths.
Wave load on deck structure The topic of wave-in-deck forces is thoroughly discussed in
Chapter 4. The wave-in-deck loads are applied in accordance with the conclusions from that
chapter. The time history is repeated in Figure 5.1. The reference force values F
d,max
are
given under the section of each structural model, respectively.
The peak horisontal wave in deck load is assumed to occur when the wave crest is at the
deck front wall. The deck force is applied to the top of the deck legs and distributed equally,
meaning 1/4 to each leg.
Current The current speed at the still water level is set to 1.0 m/s, and there is further
provided a depth prole of current velocity for each analysed model, see Sections 5.3.3 and
5.4.3. Since the depth proles do not extend above the still water level, current velocity
values in the wave crest are extrapolated by USFOS. This results in e.g. varying surface
current through the wave period for both analysis models DS and DE.
66 5 Time domain analyses
-0.5
0
0 0.5 2.6
F
d,max
F
k
F
k
= 0.4F
d,max
L
o
a
d
Time [s]
Figure 5.1: Time history for wave load on topside structure for use in analyses in the present
work
Buoyancy The jacket legs, pile sleeves, risers and caissons are ooded (see Appendix C for
details). Buoyancy will be calculated for non-ooded elements if submerged. The buoyancy
loads are included in the self weight load case, which means it is applied as a permanent,
static load.
5.3 Jacket DS - description and analyses
5.3.1 General
The model jacket DS is based on a static linear analysis model of an existing North Sea
jacket, provided by Statoil. The jacket from which the analysis model originates is a four
legged jacket, supported by sixteen 1.828 m (72 inch) piles driven to approximately 76
m below the seabed. It has a K-brace conguration, ve risers and four caissons. The area
between the deck legs is 22 m x 22 m. The water depth at the eld is 70 meters. See e.g.
Figures 5.3 and 5.8.
The model supplied by Statoil consisted of input les to be used in FE analysis program
SESAM. This model was converted to UFO-format, which can be read by USFOS. During
the conversion, the model was somewhat simplied:
The deck structure was replaced by a simple but stiff dummy deck structure.
For simplicity, the platform legs were xed to the seabed for all six degrees of freedom.
In the analysis model, the lowest deck is located at z = z
d
= 95.5 m. The model coordinate
system is right-handed and has its origin at the seabed. In order to simulate subsidence of
seabed and the structure, the z-value of the sea surface is set differently from one analysis
(load) scenario to another.
SI-units are used in the analyses (s, m and kg).
5.3 Jacket DS - description and analyses 67
The deck is assumed to be 47 m x 47 m. The model structure has a rst natural period T
n
of
1.60 s.
All input les for the structural analyses can be found in Appendix C. These include all
information in detail.
5.3.2 Materials and cross sections
Two different materials have been used, one typical steel material and one dummy material
with higher stiffness but very small density. The latter is used for the deck dummy structure,
and the former for the rest of the structure. The yield stress is 355 N/mm
2
.
A number of different circular cross sections are used, having diameters ranging from 0.457
m to 3 m and wall thickness from 0.020 m to 0.095 m. For details, see Appendix C.
5.3.3 Loads
Self weight
The generated weight of all members sums up to 3.78 10
6
kg. In addition, a node mass of
11 10
6
kg representing the deck weight and weight of equipment and personnel is applied
at node 40041 (which is located in the center of gravity of the deck structure).
Hydrodynamic loads
The reference force values for the wave-in-deck force are given in Table 5.1.
Table 5.1: Model DS; wave-in-deck forces to be used in analysis
Water depth d Crest
max
Deck inund. s
d
F
d,max
[MN] F
k
[MN]
[m] [m] [m] (Fig. 5.1) (Fig. 5.1)
75.0 20.75 0.25 2.406 0.9623
76.0 20.68 1.18 11.15 4.461
77.0 20.62 2.12 19.71 7.884
78.0 20.56 3.06 28.03 11.21
79.0 20.50 4.00 36.09 14.43
80.0 20.44 4.94 43.89 17.56
81.0 20.38 5.88 51.45 20.58
Note that for d = 75 77 m the maximum total force will occur at approximately t = 5 s
i.e. not simultaneously with the peak wave-in-deck load at t = 4.1s due to the small
magnitude of the wave-in-deck load (see also Figure 5.2). In the following, the maximum
total load and the maximum static displacement for these water depths are referred to the
maximum values occurring around t = 5 s.
68 5 Time domain analyses
The hydrodynamic load histories including wave-in-deck load and current load are shown in
Figure 5.2 for the different analysed water depths. The wave crest is at the deck front wall
at t = 4.1 s. The force peaks at this time instant represent the wave-in-deck forces, which
increase in size as the water depth and the corresponding deck inundation increase.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
25
0
25
50
75
100
125
Time [t]
W
a
v
e
f
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
d = 75 m
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 5.2: Hydrodynamic load history generated for model DS for wave height h = 33 m
and wave period T = 16 s for different water depths
If ignoring the wave-in-deck force, there are only minor variations in the magnitude of the
horisontal wave load as the water depth increases.
The load histories are based on a 33 m high (10 000 years-) wave with a period of 16 s. The
water depth is varied in order to represent different levels of subsidence; d = 75, 76, , 81
m.
The following current prole is used in the analyses:
z [m] Velocity scaling factor
0.0 1.00
-25.0 0.52
-85.0 0.28
Between these specied values of the velocity scaling factor linear interpolation is used.
Above still water level z = 0 m the scaling factor is extrapolated.
5.3.4 Results from analyses
In the dynamic analyses the time steps used range from 0.005 s to 0.05 s. This corresponds
to 0.003T
n
and 0.03T
n
, respectively.
The displacement is recorded at a reference point at deck level, node 40041 with coordinates
x = 1.084 m, y = 1.107 m and z = 99.000 m. This is the node at which the mass
representing the weight of deck and equipment is applied.
5.3 Jacket DS - description and analyses 69
Performance based on pushover analysis Figure 5.3 illustrates the different static col-
lapse modes for model DS for two different inundation levels. As the water depth increases
and the deck load increases accordingly, a larger part of the total force has to be transferred
from the deck through the braces in the upper bay and down into the lower part of the jacket
structure. These braces are originally not intended to transfer large wave loads, and will there-
fore represent the bottlenecks when the platform is exposed to large wave-in-deck loads.
(a) Depth 75 m / inundation 0.25 m (b) Depth 81 m / inundation 5.88 m
Figure 5.3: Static collapse modes for different water depths and corresponding inundation
levels
The static ultimate capacity for base shear is 160.2 MN for 0.25 m deck inundation, while
it is dramatically reduced to 79.8 MN for 5.88 m inundation. This change in capacity and
stiffness curve can be seen in Figure 5.4, in which the static stiffness curve is compared for
the load pattern following from different water depths. Further, the clear decrease in initial
elastic stiffness with increasing deck inundation should be noted from the gure. This is due
to the fact that a larger part of the forces acts on the deck level, having a larger effect on the
displacement of the reference point in the deck.
70 5 Time domain analyses
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0
50
100
150
200
Displacement [m]
S
t
r
u
c
t
u
r
a
l
r
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
M
N
]
d = 75 m
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 5.4: Model DS: Stiffness curves for in terms of base shear (BS) for different water
depths
Performance based on time domain analysis The resulting displacement histories for
different water depths (and corresponding inundation levels) are given in Figure 5.5.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
d = 75 m
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 5.5: Model DS: Dynamic displacment response for different water depths / inunda-
tion levels
The displacement response does, as expected, increase with increasing subsidence / inunda-
tion. This increase gets more pronounced as the wave load approaches and exceeds the static
ultimate capacity. However, where pushover analyses indicate a total collapse for the peak in
5.3 Jacket DS - description and analyses 71
the load time history (i.e. the ultimate capacity is exceeded at least once during the load his-
tory), dynamic time domain simulations compute a large but limited maximum displacement.
All analysed cases have a certain dynamic amplication of the response (15% - 54%), even
where the wave load is less than half the static capacity, see Table 5.2. The dynamic ampli-
cation is calculated by comparing the dynamic maximum response to the nonlinear static
maximum displacement, as obtained by interpolation of maximum wave load on the resis-
tance curve. An example of dynamic response vs. elastic static response is given in Figure
5.6. For this water depth the elastic static response is approximately equal to the real nonlin-
ear static response.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
Static elastic response
Dynamic response
Figure 5.6: Model DS: Dynamic and static response response history, water depth 78 m /
inundation 3.06 m
In Figure 5.7 time histories of accelerations are given for three chosen analysis cases, the ones
having smallest and largest water depth and inundation, and the one with largest resulting
accelerations.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
Time [s]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
d = 75 m
d = 78 m
d = 81 m
Figure 5.7: Acceleration response for different water depths / inundation levels
For d = 75 m the response is purely elastic, and the accelerations are relatively small, max-
imum acceleration is 0.23 m/s
2
. The case with d = 78 m has moderate acceleration during
the rst cycle (1.4 m/s
2
), but the largest accelerations in the following cycles is obtained for
72 5 Time domain analyses
this case, u = 2.2 m/s
2
. During the rst cycle, the d = 81 m case has the largest acceleration,
u = 2.1 m/s
2
. Thereafter the accelerations for this case are reduced to approximately 1.3 -
1.5 m/s
2
. The implications of these levels of acceleration are further discussed in Section 5.5.
The reason that accelerations in cycles following the rst cycle are reduced for deeper water
than 78 m, is that the larger loads lead to a signicant degree of plastic material behaviour
resulting in damping of the motion response.
The term dynamic capacity (to sustain transient loads) cannot be uniquely dened or in-
terpreted because dynamic response depends on both the structural natural period and the
frequencies of the external load (see Figure 2.1). Intuitively, one might interpret dynamic
capacity as the most onerous load history that the structure is able to sustain. However, the
fact that the structure can sustain a given load history does not give any information about the
response to other load histories.
For practical purposes, a displacement limit related to one or more given reference points
in the structure may quantify the capacity to withstand dynamic load. If the load history
leads to exceedance of this displacement, the capacity is by denition exceeded. An absolute
maximum allowable limit for the displacement can be decided from structural considerations,
e.g. a given fraction of the displacement corresponding to total collapse. However, there
might be other limitations on the displacement, e.g. safety limitations. There is little help in
having the platform deformed but standing, if rupture of pipes could lead to explosions and
subsequent res. The platformmust also, in a deformed state, be able to withstand subsequent
(large) waves, this is the ALS (accidental limit state) requirement in structural standards.
Static pushover performance versus dynamic performance The main results from the
analyses are shown in Table 5.2 in numerical form. Elastic load limit and corresponding
displacement are extracted at rst yield, regardless of the location of the yielding element.
Table 5.2: Model DS; results from non-linear static and dynamic analyses, h =
33 m, T = 16 s
Water Deck Total wave First yield Stat. cap. Maximum displ.
depth inund. load BS
a
BS
a
u BS
a
u Stat.
b
Stat.
c
Dyn.
[m] [m] [MN] [MN] [m] [MN] [m] [m] [m] [m]
75.0
d
0.25 73.4 95.3 0.16 161.1 0.33 0.13 0.13 0.15
76.0
d
1.18 75.1 90.0 0.20 165.0 0.43 0.17 0.16 0.22
77.0
d
2.12 81.7 85.3 0.22 143.7 0.47 0.22 0.22 0.31
78.0 3.06 90.2 82.0 0.24 122.4 0.52 0.27 0.27 0.41
79.0 4.00 97.9 76.0 0.24 103.3 0.49 0.35 0.32 0.54
80.0 4.94 103.9 66.7 0.22 92.4 0.48 N/A 0.36 0.73
81.0 5.88 108.9 59.7 0.21 83.9 0.46 N/A 0.40 1.03
a
BS = base shear
b
Displacement for given load without dynamic effects (interpolated on the resistance curve)
c
Elastic displacement
d
Max. total load, subsequent to max. wave-in-deck load, see page 67
5.3 Jacket DS - description and analyses 73
At 0.25 m inundation, the total wave load is smaller than the elastic load limit of the structure.
The dynamic maximum displacement does not exceed the displacement corresponding to the
elastic load limit, and no yielding is detected during dynamic analysis for this case. At the
next two inundation levels, s
d
= 1.18 m and s
d
= 2.12 m, the wave load peak is still smaller
than the elastic load limit, however the elastic limit displacement is exceeded during dynamic
analysis due to dynamic amplication, meaning that the structure experiences some yielding.
At 3.06 m inundation the total wave load exceeds the elastic load limit. At 4.00 m inunda-
tion the dynamic maximum displacement is larger than the displacement corresponding to
static ultimate capacity. At s
d
= 4.94 m and s
d
= 5.88 m (corresponding to water depths of
80 m and 81 meters, respectively) the load peak in the dynamic analyses exceeds the static
ultimate capacity of the structure. Static displacement, in the meaning time domain displace-
ment excluding dynamic effects, is theoretically innite for these last two cases. However,
the displacements estimated from dynamic analyses are 0.728 m and 1.030 m, respectively.
If these displacements are admissible, the platform can by denition withstand these load
histories, and thus it can withstand these particular waves that generate loads exceeding the
static ultimate capacity.
Plots of the structure with yielding zones highlighted show that the collapse modes are similar
during dynamic and pushover analyses for all analysed water depths respectively. An example
is given in Figure 5.8.
(a) Pushover case (b) Dynamic case
Figure 5.8: Structural plastic state at dynamic max. displacement, water depth 78 m
74 5 Time domain analyses
Contribution from stiffness and inertia In Figure 5.9 the variation of the structural restor-
ing forces and the inertia forces is illustrated. The response is clearly dominated by restoring
forces, but for d = 78 m and d = 81 m it can be seen that around the time of maximum
response the inertia force amplies the response.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
20
0
20
40
60
80
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
External force
Restoring force
Inertia force
(a) d = 75 m
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
50
0
50
100
150
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
External force
Restoring force
Inertia force
(b) d = 78 m
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
40
0
40
80
120
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
External force
Restoring force
Inertia force
(c) d = 81 m
Figure 5.9: Model DS: Contributions from structural restoring forces and inertia forces
5.4 Jacket DE - description and analyses 75
For d = 75 m / s
d
= 0.25 m, the inertia response is insignicant, a fact that supports the use
of quasi-static considerations for jackets under regular wave loading not including topside
impact.
5.4 Jacket DE - description and analyses
5.4.1 General
This model is based on the dynamic analysis model of an existing North Sea jacket, provided
by SINTEF. DE is X-braced and has bucket foundations. It has 4 legs and the area between
the deck legs is 20 x 20 meters. The jacket is originally designed for a water depth of 70
meters.
The lower deck beams are located at z = z
d
= 25.75 m, and the mudline at z = 70 m.
The model coordinate system, which is right-handed, has its origin 70 m above the seabed.
This elevation corresponds to the sea surface for the design water depth. Note that the sea
surface will be lifted to positive z-values for the analyses in the present thesis in order to
simulate subsidence of seabed and structure.
SI-units are used (s, m and kg).
The bucket foundations are modeled by use of linear spring-to-ground elements, identical to
the original computer model provided by SINTEF.
The received model consisted of an input le for the NIRWANA computer program. The
model has been manually converted to UFO-format, i.e. not by any conversion program. The
following modications have been done to the structural model:
The section names are changed, however every element has the same section type
A minor structural part was removed, this included 3 nodes, the masses applied to these
nodes and 7 elements.
A dummy deck structure is added to attract wave loading on deck.
The deck is not modeled in detail in the computer model, but a size of 40 x 40 meters is used
for this work. It is assumed that the deck is centered on the deck legs with an overhang of 10
m on all sides. The structural model has a rst natural period of 1.18 s.
The input les to the structural analyses with detailed information can be found in Appendix
C.
5.4.2 Materials and cross sections
A number of different materials have been used. The materials are identical to the ones used
in the original NIRWANA model. They include one typical steel material and one dummy
76 5 Time domain analyses
material with zero density, as well as several steel materials with different densities used to
include contents of piping and risers. The yield stress is 355 N/mm
2
.
The cross sections that are used are circular with diameters ranging from 0.215 m to 3.8 m
and wall thickness from 0.005 m to 0.090 m.
For details, see Appendix C.
5.4.3 Loads
Self weight
The generated self weight of all members sums up to 2.7 10
6
kg. In addition, 11 node masses
representing deck weight and a bridge are applied, in total approximately 10 10
6
kg.
Hydrodynamic loads
The reference values for the wave-in-deck forces are given in Table 5.3. Note that for d = 76
m the maximum total force will occur at t = 5.1 s i.e. not simultaneously with the peak
wave-in-deck load at t = 4.9 s due to the small magnitude of the wave-in-deck load. The
maximum total load and the maximum static displacement for this water depth are referred
to the values at t = 5.1 s.
Table 5.3: Model DE; wave-in-deck forces to be used in analysis
Water depth d Crest
max
Deck inund. s
d
F
d,max
[MN] F
k
[MN]
[m] [m] [m] (Fig. 5.1) (Fig. 5.1)
76.0 20.68 0.93 7.480 2.992
77.0 20.62 1.87 14.80 5.918
78.0 20.56 2.81 25.74 10.29
79.0 20.50 3.75 33.83 13.53
80.0 20.44 4.69 41.67 16.67
81.0 20.38 5.63 49.27 19.71
The hydrodynamic load histories including wave-in-deck load and current load are shown in
Figure 5.10 for the different analysed water depths. The peak wave in deck load is taken to
occur at t = 4.9 s, when the wave crest is at the deck front wall. The force peaks at this time
instant represent the wave-in-deck forces, which increase in size as the water depth and the
corresponding deck inundation increase.
If ignoring the wave-in-deck force, there are only minor variations in the magnitude of the
horisontal wave load as the water depth increases.
The load histories are based on a 33 m high (10 000 years-) wave with a period of 16 s. Load
scenarios based on water depths d = 76, 77, , 81 m are analysed.
5.4 Jacket DE - description and analyses 77
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
20
0
20
40
60
80
100
Time [t]
W
a
v
e
f
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 5.10: Hydrodynamic load history generated for model DE for H = 33 mand T = 16
s for different water depths
The current prole used in the analyses is as follows:
z [m] Velocity scaling factor
0.0 1.0
-50.0 0.3
-67.0 0.0
-70.0 0.0
Values of the scaling factor are extrapolated / interpolated above / below still water level
z = 0 m.
5.4.4 Results from analyses
In the dynamic analyses the time steps used range from 0.001 s to 0.05 s. This corresponds
to 0.0008T
n
and 0.04T
n
, respectively. The tiny time steps have been necessary to capture all
nonlinear incidents.
The displacement is recorded at a reference point centrally located at deck level node 212
which has coordinates x = 30.000 m, y = 6.000 m and z = 25.75 m.
Performance based on pushover analysis The static ultimate capacity for base shear show
only minor variations, ranging from 83.8 MN to 86.3 MN (Figure 5.11 and Table 5.4). The
largest capacity is found for a water depth of 78 m, corresponding to an inundation of 2.81 m.
Whereas the ultimate capacity does not show any signicant sensitivity to the load distribu-
tion (limited to those distributions analysed herein), the initial elastic stiffness clearly does.
Similar to model DS, the latter is attributed to the fact that a larger part of the forces act on
the deck level, having a larger effect on the displacement of the reference point in the deck.
78 5 Time domain analyses
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
0
20
40
60
80
100
Displacement [m]
S
t
r
u
c
t
u
r
a
l
r
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
M
N
]
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 5.11: Model DE: Stiffness curves in terms of base shear (BS) for different water
depths
All analysis cases show the same pre-collapse behaviour; linear elastic displacement followed
by yielding that can be separated into three different stages. Firstly, a thin piping element
(el. 1313, ca. elevation -42 m) at the bottom of the second bay from below yields. This
is followed by yielding of a part of a tension brace (el. 1172, ca. elevation -45 m) in the
lowest bay. This brace supports a vertical riser, and the yielding part is located between the
jacket leg and the riser support. These two rst yielding incidents are isolated incidents. The
major part of the nonlinear global behaviour starts at 65 to 80% of the capacity, the largest
fraction for the smallest inundation (Table 5.4). The degradation of the stiffness starts at and
beyond this main yield, the former for the smaller inundations and the latter for the larger
inundations. It is thus concluded that the behaviour is close to linear until close to the static
ultimate capacity.
Table 5.4: Model DE; results from non-linear static analyses h = 33 m, T = 16 s
Water Deck Total wave First yield Sec. yield Main yield Ult. cap.
depth inund. load BS
a
BS
a
u BS
a
u BS
a
u BS
a
u
[m] [m] [MN] [MN] [m] [MN] [m] [MN] [m] [MN] [m]
76.0
b
0.93 41.11 33.77 0.136 48.48 0.196 68.62 0.278 83.83 0.347
77.0 1.87 47.69 25.01 0.114 44.71 0.205 67.57 0.310 85.91 0.403
78.0 2.81 58.71 20.03 0.100 41.60 0.210 63.49 0.321 86.31 0.450
79.0 3.75 66.18 18.10 0.095 40.06 0.212 61.18 0.325 85.65 0.467
80.0 4.69 72.86 16.88 0.092 39.07 0.214 58.90 0.324 85.05 0.482
81.0 5.63 79.66 16.06 0.090 38.34 0.216 55.80 0.316 84.52 0.494
a
BS = base shear
b
Max. total load, subsequent to max. wave-in-deck load, see page 76
It seems clear that model DE has a relatively brittle behaviour when exposed to such load
histories. The resistance curves are close to linear until the ultimate capacity is reached,
followed by a signicant drop in capacity combined with an elastic snap-back behaviour.
Figure 5.12 shows the static collapse modes for the smallest and largest inundation levels.
5.4 Jacket DE - description and analyses 79
The collapse modes are not signicantly different from each other. The compression braces
in the 2nd and 3rd bay are the weak spots of this structure. X-brace conguration is normally
considered to be redundant, but this presupposes horisontal braces at the intersection between
the different X-levels, i.e. at the bottom and top of the Xs, making the complete structure
consisting of (stiff) triangles. With the present layout the X conguration is not redundant, as
reected in the resistance curves.
(a) Depth 76 m / inundation 0.93 m (b) Depth 81 m / inundation 5.63 m
Figure 5.12: Static collapse modes for different water depths and corresponding inundation
levels
A brittle global behaviour might be acceptable if the structure is designed to a large level of
reserve capacity, as is the case for the present structure. However, one should be aware that
if one of the vital compression braces has reduced or lost capacity or has an initial deection
caused by some accidental loading, the structures ultimate capacity might be considerably
reduced compared to the intact condition.
Performance based on time domain analysis The resulting displacement histories for
different water depths (and corresponding inundation levels) are given in Figure 5.13. It has
not been possible to produce time domain analyses of acceptable numerical quality for water
depths from 79.5 m and beyond, due to numerical instability. The largest depth analysed is
therefore 79 m, corresponding to an inundation of 3.75 m. The brace conguration of the
80 5 Time domain analyses
model causes instability for responses resulting from loading above this level.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
Figure 5.13: Model DE: Dynamic displacment response for different water depths / inun-
dation levels
All dynamic analyses show positive dynamic amplication compared to the static nonlinear
displacement, which is interpolated on the resistance curve for the maximum external load
(Table 5.5). The amplication is in the range 24% to 46%. An example of dynamic ampli-
cation of the displacement response compared to the static elastic analysis results, which do
not differ signicantly from the static nonlinear results due to the linear brittle behaviour of
the structure, is given in Figure 5.14 for d = 78 m.
The brittle nature of the DE model results in unstable behaviour for load conditions having
a peak exceeding some 80% of the static capacity. To the contrary, the ductile DS model
is able to remain (damaged but) intact even for wave load histories that for a limited time
exceed the static capacity.
In Figure 5.15 time histories of accelerations are given for the four relevant analysis cases.
For d = 76 m the response is close to purely elastic and the largest accelerations are approx-
imately 1.5 m/s
2
. At d = 77 m the acceleration peaks are 3.2 - 3.3 m/s
2
, and for d = 78 m
the peaks are rather close to 5.9 m/s
2
. The last case, d = 79 m, has very irregular acceler-
ations due to many plastic incidents. The largest acceleration value is negative, and is close
to 6.1 m/s
2
. This negative peak is followed by a positive peak of 4.8 m/s
2
. Thereafter the
acceleration peaks remain at 2 - 4 m/s
2
, but are decreasing due to material damping. The
implications of this level of acceleration are further discussed in Section 5.5.
5.4 Jacket DE - description and analyses 81
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.25
0
0.25
0.5
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
Time [s]
Static elastic resonse
Dynamic response
Figure 5.14: Dynamic and static response response history, water depth 78 m / inundation
3.06 m
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
6
4
2
0
2
4
6
Time [s]
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
Figure 5.15: Acceleration response for different water depths / inundation levels
Static pushover performance versus dynamic performance Plots of the structure with
yielding zones highlighted show that the collapse modes are similar during dynamic analysis
and pushover analysis for all analysed water depths with one exception, namely the d = 79
m / s
d
= 3.75 m case. In this case, the maximum dynamic displacement corresponds to a
post collapse displacement in the pushover analysis. This is reected by the larger deections
of individual compression members for the pushover case as illustrated in Figure 5.16. It is
interesting to notice that a displacement that according to pushover analysis corresponds to a
post collapse condition and snap back behaviour can be obtained without structural instability
during a dynamic analysis.
The main results from the analyses are shown in Table 5.5 in numerical form. Elastic load
limit and corresponding displacement are extracted at rst yield, regardless of location of the
yielding element. Note that all analysed wave conditions result in load peaks exceeding the
elastic load limit (rst yield) of the structure.
At d = 76 m / s
d
= 0.93 m the only elements yielding are those corresponding to rst and
second yield as given in Table 5.4. The main nonlinear domain is not entered. The total wave
82 5 Time domain analyses
(a) Pushover case (b) Dynamic case
Figure 5.16: Structural plastic state at dynamic max. displacement, water depth 79 m
Table 5.5: Model DE; results from non-linear static and dynamic analyses , h =
33 m, T = 16 s
Water Deck Total wave First yield Stat. cap. Maximum displ.
depth inund. load BS
a
BS
a
u BS
a
u Stat.
b
Stat.
c
Dyn.
[m] [m] [MN] [MN] [m] [MN] [m] [m] [m] [m]
76.0
d
0.93 41.11 33.77 0.14 83.83 0.35 0.17 0.17 0.21
77.0 1.87 47.69 25.01 0.11 85.91 0.40 0.22 0.22 0.29
78.0 2.81 58.71 20.03 0.10 86.31 0.45 0.30 0.30 0.42
79.0 3.75 66.18 18.10 0.10 85.65 0.47 0.35 0.36 0.51
80.0 4.69 72.86 16.88 0.09 85.05 0.48 0.40 0.41 N/A
81.0 5.63 79.66 16.06 0.09 84.52 0.49 0.46 0.46 N/A
a
BS = base shear
b
Displacement for given load without dynamic effects (interpolated on the resistance curve)
c
Elastic displacement
d
Max. total load, subsequent to max. wave-in-deck load, see page 76
load is smaller than the load corresponding to second yield during pushover analysis. No
plastic hinges are introduced during the dynamic analysis.
At the next inundation level, d = 77 m / s
d
= 1.87 m, the wave load peak exceeds the second
yield pushover load, but not the main yield load. The same is valid for the displacement
5.4 Jacket DE - description and analyses 83
response it does not exceed the main yield displacement limit. No plastic hinges are
introduced.
For d = 78 m / s
d
= 2.81 m the wave load condition is similar to the previous described
case; the wave load peak exceeds the second yield pushover load, but not the main yield
load. However, in this case the dynamic displacement response exceeds the main yield dis-
placement limit, and the structure experiences considerable yielding but no plastic hinges.
The load generated for d = 79 m / s
d
= 3.75 m exceeds the main yield load limit, but not
the ultimate capacity. The structural response enters into the nonlinear domain, and includes
considerable yielding and several plastic hinges in the second and third bay.
Contribution from stiffness and inertia In Figure 5.17 the variation of the structural
restoring forces and the inertia forces is illustrated. As for model DS, the response is domi-
nated by the restoring forces. The inertia forces clearly amplify the response at its maximum
around t = 5.1 s.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
20
0
20
40
60
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
External force
Restoring force
Inertia force
(a) d = 76 m
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
50
0
50
100
Time [s]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
External force
Restoring force
Inertia force
(b) d = 79 m
Figure 5.17: Model DE: Contributions from structural restoring forces and inertia forces
84 5 Time domain analyses
5.5 Acceleration levels
NS 4931 (1985) gives recommendations related to the sensitivity of human beings to low
frequency horisontal vibrations in buildings and xed offshore installations. For the rst
natural vibration frequency for jacket model DS, which is 0.63 Hz, the limit acceleration
which an average human being will feel is given as approximately 0.017 m/s
2
. For the same
frequency, 0.0043 m/s
2
is given as a threshold value below which nobody will notice the
vibrations. The acceptable acceleration level of the structure when performing non-routine
or exacting work is approximately 0.19 m/s
2
.
NORSOK S-002 (2004) provides acceptable acceleration limits for (human) exposure to con-
tinuous vibrations from machinery during a 12 hours working day. The recommendations are
only given for vibration frequencies 1 Hz and above, thus recommendations for 1 Hz are con-
sidered herein. For areas that are normally unmanned, 2 m/s
2
is an upper limit of acceptable
acceleration, whereas 0.05 m/s
2
is acceptable for process, utilities and drilling areas.
The accelerations calculated for model DS are considerably larger than the comfort levels
indicated in NS 4931, see Figure 2.4. The magnitude is more in agreement with the upper
acceptable limit for continuous vibrations in normally unmanned areas given in NORSOK
S-002. All limit values are, however, related to operating situations, whereas wave-in-deck
slamming is an extreme event. 2 m/s
2
acceleration corresponds to accelerating from 0 to
216 km/h in 30 seconds. In a car this is to be considered a considerable but not excessive
acceleration, being less than half the acceleration relevant for the most powerful sports cars.
As structural ground acceleration it will, however, surely be experienced as a frightening
event. A certain fright should be considered acceptable, in lieu of the fact that wave-in-deck
loading is an accidental event. It is, though, a relevant question if the different equipment
located on the platform is designed to sustain such accelerations, and if required can
maintain operation. It is known that generators can trip (stop temporarily) in case of large
accelerations. Such an incident was e.g. observed on Sleipner A for a large wave impact on
the platform legs (Gudmestad, 2005).
The acceleration response of model DE is of considerably worse nature. A maximum of
some 6 m/s
2
, equal to 0 - 648 km/h in 30 s, is three times as much as the acceleration that
DS experiences. This is an extremely large acceleration, unacceptable even for accidental
conditions.
5.6 Discussion
Dynamic performance vs. static
It is important to be aware that the static ultimate capacity of a platform does not uniquely
characterise the structural performance, neither does the load - displacement curve. The
capacity depends on the load pattern, i.e. the distribution of external forces on the structure.
Static ultimate capacity is, however, a unique and informative measure of nonlinear structural
performance when related to a given load distribution. Dynamic performance should, on the
5.6 Discussion 85
other hand, rather be evaluated against allowable displacements and accelerations at relevant
locations in the structure for each single load scenario.
All the dynamic analyses carried out in this chapter show dynamic amplication compared
to the static analyses. This corresponds to ndings in HSE (1998). The amplication ranges
from some 15% to some 54% (for water depth d = 80 m and d = 81 m for model DS
the term dynamic amplication does not give any meaning, since the wave load exceeds the
static capacity).
The example model DS has shown to be able to respond to dynamic (wave-in-deck) loads
with short duration peaks exceeding the static ultimate capacity of the structure with only lim-
ited deformations, as opposed to global collapse. In other words, for the situations analysed
herein dynamic considerations are benecial and important, as they increase the condence
in the structural performance compared to static considerations.
DS is a ductile structure, see Figure 5.4. To the contrary, model DE can be regarded a
brittle structure (Figure 5.11). Brittle structures are structures with negligible ductile reserves
beyond the static ultimate capacity. Such structures may, when subjected to dynamic loads,
collapse for load histories with maxima considerably smaller than static capacity, due to
dynamic amplication. In that case, dynamic considerations are even more important than
for ductile structures. The ductility reserves of a structure is obviously of great importance
when it comes to vulnerability to (accidental) wave-in-deck loads.
For the structures and loading conditions analysed herein, it is clear that it is the ductility
of the structure, as opposed to the inertia of the mass, that increases the structural ability to
resist external loading when accounting for dynamic effects.
A wave-in-deck load history of the nature analysed herein will always lead to dynamic am-
plication for a traditional jacket structure with a natural period of a few seconds. This is
determined by the relation between the duration of the impulse-like part of the load history,
in our case the wave-in-deck load, and the natural period of the structure (e.g. Biggs, 1964).
Omission of damping
Damping is not included in the presented analyses. For structures, linear viscous undercritical
damping is normally assumed, i.e. the damping is proportional to the velocity u and c < 2m
in the dynamic equilibrium equation for a SDOF system (e.g. Equation 6.23). Undercritical
damping implies that the structure will oscillate but there is a damping force present in the
system which continuously reduces the vibration amplitudes. In case of a small damping
ratio, this effect is small or negligible during the rst vibration cycles. In this project the
load histories are of a nature implying that the maximum displacement and the permanent
displacement are reached during these rst oscillations. Damping is therefore assumed to
have small or negligible effect on the maximum amplitudes of motion resulting from the force
histories used. The inclusion of damping would in the present work rstly be of importance
if including a pre-load history generating a start-up condition for the wave-in-deck loading,
or if analysing load histories with more than one peak.
86 5 Time domain analyses
In addition to having an explicit effect on the response to external loading, damping also in-
uences the natural frequency of a structural system. In the case of undercritical damping the
frequency is reduced. However, within the range of damping that apply to typical structures
this effect is negligible (Biggs, 1964). In this respect it is justiable to omit damping.
Initial values
In the analyses all initial values of displacement, velocity and acceleration are set to zero.
In reality, these values will be different from zero at the time when the analysis is initiated.
The choice of initial values will inuence the maximum response in the way that they will
be determining for where in a vibration cycle the structure will be at deck wave impact, and
it will be determining for the magnitude of the response immediately prior to wave impact.
HSE (2003) analysed a jack-up rig and showed that the largest deck displacement occurred
if the wave hit the hull when it had the largest displacement in the direction opposite to the
wave heading direction, i.e. at the time the hull has the largest acceleration in the direction of
the wave heading, but that the variation in response caused by different phasing is relatively
small.
Reasonable initial values different from zero can only be included based on a precondition of
either loading or response. However, one set of initial values would lead to reduced maximum
response whereas another set would lead to an increase. It would therefore be necessary to
analyse the actual extreme wave scenario several times to cover a representative range of
wave or response conditions prior to wave impact and determine the condition that results
in the largest maximum response. One should in that case have the results from the above
mentioned HSE study in mind.
Based on the near static nature of jacket response to wave loading, implying small accelera-
tions, and the results from the HSE study, it is considered likely that setting the initial values
equal to zero does not imply signicant misestimation of the maximum response following
from the response immediately prior to the wave impact. However, the magnitude of the
misestimation can only be revealed by running analyses with different preconditions, being a
recommended task for the future.
Further use of analysis results
The analyses of model DS that are carried out in this chapter will be used further in Chapter
7, where the results from a simplied method to estimate dynamic response (described in
Chapter 6) will be compared to the response histories given in the present chapter.
Chapter 6
Simplied response analysis
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 Chapter outline
This chapter comprises the theory and application of a simplied calculation model for as-
sessment of dynamic response. The calculation model is in essence a single degree of freedom
(SDOF) model that utilises information from a static analysis of the structure in question to
calculate an approximate dynamic response to a given load history. Parts of this chapter has
been published previously (van Raaij and Jakobsen, 2004) as a part of the present doctoral
studies.
The present section comprises a summary of the chapter and is followed by a brief introduc-
tion / motivation.
In Section 6.2 general issues regarding dynamic versus static response to loading are treated.
Section 6.3 presents the theory of the SDOF model, as well as two slightly different calcula-
tion examples.
How to use the SDOF calculation model to calculate dynamic response of a multi degree of
freedom (MDOF) structure is illustrated in Section 6.4. A cantilever beam is used as example
structure.
In Section 6.5 a modication to the SDOF model is suggested and outlined, and response
time histories with and without this modication are compared.
A summary of this chapter is given in Section 6.6.
6.1.2 Motivation
The data used for structural reassessment of offshore steel frame structures are commonly
those that were used during the design phase, but modied according to the present situa-
87
88 6 Simplied response analysis
tion. Such data often include an FE analysis model which is well suited for static nonlinear
pushover analysis, as well as results (i.e. natural frequencies and mode shapes) from modal
analysis. Rarely there exists analysis models that can be used for (nonlinear) dynamic time
domain analyses without putting considerable effort into improvement of the model. This
motivates the development of a very simple calculation model that uses information from
pushover analysis and eigenvalue analysis to approximate dynamic response to given load
histories.
A SDOF system needs 2 out of the 3 variables stiffness k, mass m and natural period T
n
to
be adequately described. The idea is to use the stiffness relation obtained by nonlinear static
pushover analysis of the complete MDOF structure, i.e. the resistance function, to describe
the stiffness of the SDOF model. The natural period is taken from eigenvalue analysis of the
structure. Thus static pushover analysis and eigenvalue analysis yields enough information
to establish a SDOF model of the structure. Of course also relevant load histories are needed
before the analyses can be carried out, this matter is discussed in Chapter 4.
SDOF analysis methodology is also recommended by NORSOK N-004 (2004) for the pur-
pose of estimating response to explosion loads, for which the load history normally comprise
one single load peak of impulsive character. The suggested approach is based on a presup-
posed deection mode, and is identical to a method explained by Biggs (1964).
Extreme wave analysis by use of a SDOF model is recommended by Skallerud and Amdahl
(2002) as a screening procedure, of which the purpose is to identify the wave scenarios that
need more accurate analysis. It is further recommended to establish a deformation spectrum
(displacement response vs. natural period) for each of these wave scenarios in order to obtain
an understanding of the response sensitivity to the natural period of the structural system.
This is useful and necessary because of the uncertainty connected to the calculated natural
period of a structure. The application of the suggested SDOF model is in accordance with
that of the model outlined in Section 6.3 of this thesis.
6.2 Dynamic versus static response - resistance to external
loading and inertia forces
When representing a MDOF structural system with an equivalent SDOF model, the structural
response to the actual external loads is typically assumed to be governed by only one (e.g.
the rst) vibration mode. However, this is true only if the external force has a distribution that
is identical to the distribution of inertia forces for the rst vibration mode. In the following,
this will be illustrated. Finite element (matrix) formulation is used to emphasise the spatial
distribution of external and internal forces.
If imagining e.g. a cantilever with only transverse degrees of freedom in one plane (i.e.
a discretisation of the cantilever in Figure 6.1), the importance of the possible difference
in spatial distribution of external forces and inertia forces becomes evident. The dynamic
equilibrium equation for the MDOF structural system reads:
{R
m
} +{R
d
} +{R
r
} = {F
e
} (6.1)
6.2 Dynamic versus static response - resistance to external loading and inertia forces 89
where {R
m
} = [m]{ u} is the vector (in the sense single column matrix) of inertia forces,
{R
d
} is the vector of damping forces and {R
r
} = [k]{u} is the vector of structural restoring
forces, frequently called static resistance forces. Damping will be omitted in the following, in
order to focus on the interplay between the external loading and the inertia loading. Statically
the force vs. the response is described by {R
r
} = {F
e
}, and similarly for the dynamic case
{R
r
} +{R
m
} = {F
e
}:
Static:{R
r
} = {F
e
} Dynamic: {R
r
} = {F
e
} {R
m
} (6.2)
The implications of this is that a static and a dynamic load with identical distribution will not
generate restoring forces with identical distributions (unless the external force and the inertia
force have identical distributions).
f
0
(t)
x, u
m
c
m, EI
l
z
Figure 6.1: Cantilever with concentrated and distributed mass
To illustrate the above (within the elastic domain), the cantilever model shown in Figure 6.1
is used as example. A triangularly distributed load f(z, t), quantied by f
0
(t) at z = l, is
chosen because it can easily be analysed analytically and has a similar distribution as wave
loading. The expression for the load variation along the cantilever is thus
f(z) = f
0
z
l
(6.3)
The total force is F
e
= f
0
l/2.
Static displacement response to the given external load can be calculated using e.g. the
moment-area method, which states that for a cantilever beam the displacement of the free
end is
u(l) =
_
l
0
M(z) (l z)
EI
dz (6.4)
90 6 Simplied response analysis
where M(z) is the value of the moment diagram at location z. By use of the above equation
together with the expression for the load f(z) (Equation 6.3), the lateral displacement of the
concentrated mass can be shown to be
u(l) = f
0
11l
4
120EI
(6.5)
The relation between the total external force F
e
and the displacement of the concentrated
mass is thus
F
e
=
60EI
11l
3
u(l) =
5.45EI
l
3
u(l) (6.6)
The above is the direct physical relationship between the given external load and the structural
displacement at the reference point (the tip). Except for the fact that it is dened only in the
elastic domain, it can be seen as analogous to the resistance curve obtained by static pushover
analysis. The stiffness is
k
f
=
5.45EI
l
3
(6.7)
where k
f
means stiffness related to external load (subscript f). The reaction shear V equals
the resistance force, since this is a static consideration.
Considering dynamic behaviour due to an impulse load (undamped system), the structure will
respond in a combination of forced and free vibrations depending on the external load. The
structure will vibrate freely as long as the external loads are (nearly) constant in magnitude
and spatial distribution, or after these loads have become zero. The inertia forces (during
free or forced vibrations) may in general have a different spatial distribution than an external
loading, and so the structural stiffness both in the elastic and plastic range will differ.
A cantilever with evenly distributed mass and stiffness and a concentrated mass at the free
end has a free vibration stiffness k
i
in the rst mode which can be calculated based on
static consideration, applying external forces equal to (dynamic) inertia forces. In the fol-
lowing, subscripts cm and dm refer to concentrated and distributed mass, respectively. The
load corresponding to the inertia force is governed by the acceleration along the beam. The
acceleration is proportional to the displacement and therefore assumptions must be made re-
garding the deected shape, i.e. the rst mode shape, of a beam with evenly distributed mass
and a concentrated mass at the free end. A good estimate for the rst mode shape is (Blevins,
1979):
(z) =
3
2
_
z
l
_
2
1
2
_
z
l
_
3
(6.8)
The applied (inertia) force from concentrated mass is
F
cm
= m
c
u(l) (6.9)
6.2 Dynamic versus static response - resistance to external loading and inertia forces 91
and the load from the distributed mass is:
F
dm
= m
_
l
0
u(z)dz = m u(l)
_
l
0
(z)dz =
3l
8
m u(l) (6.10)
The static relation between the inertia force and the displacement at the free end is
F
cm
+F
dm
= k
i
u(l) = k
i
(u
cm
+u
dm
) (6.11)
where u
cm
and u
dm
are the displacements of the free end resulting from the inertia load of
the concentrated mass and the distributed mass, respectively. The displacement of the free
end of a cantilever due to a concentrated load can for instance be found from tables, and is in
our case:
u
cm
=
F
cm
l
3
3EI
(6.12)
The displacement u
dm
must be calculated using static methods, such as the moment-area
method expressed in Equation 6.4. In the present case u
dm
can be shown to be:
u
dm
=
22F
dm
l
3
105EI
(6.13)
Choosing m
c
= 3.5 10
6
kg and m = 0.925 10
6
kg/m (these are the values used later in this
chapter), the free vibration stiffness can be calculated from Equation 6.11:
k
i
=
F
cm
+F
dm
u
cm
+u
dm
=
3.42EI
l
3
(6.14)
The implication of the above is that subjected to a triangular load distribution, the cantilever
behaves considerably stiffer (ref. k
f
, Equation 6.7) than under the action of inertia force / free
vibrations only (ref. k
i
, Equation 6.14).
The reaction shear V (t) has one contribution from external load and one from inertia forces,
V (t) = V
f
(t) +V
i
(t). The contribution from load is straight forward found by an equilibrium
consideration of a purely static system exposed to the external load (at an instant in time):
V
f
(t) = k
f
u(l, t) =
_
l
0
f(z, t) dz = F
e
(t) (6.15)
The contribution from inertia forces is found by considering the free vibration part of the
response, by integrating the inertia forces over the length of the cantilever:
92 6 Simplied response analysis
V
i
(t)=
_
l
0
m(z) u(z, t) dz m
c
u(l, t) (6.16)
=
_
m
_
l
0
(z) dz +m
c
_
u(l, t) (6.17)
=m
i
u(l, t) (6.18)
where m
i
is an equivalent mass that will be commented upon shortly. Note in particular
that if the external forces are zero and the cantilever is in a pure state of free vibrations, the
following relation is valid:
m
i
u(l, t) +k
i
u(l, t) = 0 V (t) = V
i
(t) = k
i
u(l, t) = m
i
u(l, t) (6.19)
From the above equation it is clear that m
i
is an equivalent mass of the cantilever associated
with the free vibration stiffness (Equation 6.14). Accordingly, a mass m
f
can be explicitly
associated with the external load stiffness k
f
(Equation 6.7). In case of harmonic vibrations
where u =
2
u, the relation between m
i
and the free vibration stiffness k
i
is equal to the
relation between m
f
and k
f
:
k
i
m
i
=
k
f
m
f
=
2
(6.20)
The contribution from inertia forces to reaction forces can thus also be expressed by m
f
, and
the total reaction force can be calculated as follows:
V (t) = V
f
(t) +V
i
(t) = F
e
(t)
k
i
k
f
m
f
u(l, t) (6.21)
Compared to a real SDOF system, where the reaction force equals the stiffness term in the
dynamic equilibrium equation, the SDOF simplication of a MDOF structure obviously have
some implications. The effect of the fraction multiplier k
i
/k
f
(< 1) is a reduction of the
magnitude of the inertia term. In the case where both the external force and the acceleration
have the same direction, which is the case when a structure or mass is accelerated from
zero by the force, the consequence is an increase in the reaction force magnitude. This can
be interpreted as a increased stiffness (compared to elastic static stiffness) attributed to the
inertia of the mass. Further it leads to a reduced stiffness during free vibrations that follows
after being exposed to a load impulse. Both effects are clearly seen in the example in Section
6.4 (Figures 6.12 and 6.15).
6.3 SDOF model 93
6.3 SDOF model
The essence of static structural analysis is that the structure cannot resist larger external loads
F
e
than its static maximum resistance or capacity. However, when considering the dynamic
equilibrium equation for a SDOF system given in Equation 6.22, one can see that it is possible
for a structure to withstand loads exceeding the static capacity, provided such loads are coun-
teracted by inertia and damping forces. In practice, this may be the case when the external
force is of limited duration.
R
m
(t) +R
d
(t) +R
r
(t) = F
e
(t) (6.22)
Here, R
m
(t) = m u(t), R
d
(t) = c u(t) and R
r
(t) = k u(t) are inertia, damping and internal
restoring forces respectively. Biggs (1964) suggested that the dynamic equilibrium equation
might be extended into the nonlinear (plastic) region by letting R
r
be a predened, unique
function of the displacement u, hereafter denoted R
f
when explicitly referred to.
In the following, the SDOF model based on this assumption will be outlined. The intention
is to use this SDOF model to estimate dynamic response for complex structural systems, in
the present case jacket platforms.
6.3.1 Model outline
The equation of motion of a SDOF system in the elastic domain is given by Equation 6.23,
alternatively by Equation 6.22.
m u(t) +c u(t) +k u(t) = F
e
(t) (6.23)
The behaviour of the jacket structure, which is sought modeled by the SDOF model, is repre-
sented by the behaviour of a centrally located reference point at the deck
1
. The variables u(t),
u(t) and u(t) in the SDOF equation of motion represent the horisontal displacement, velocity
and acceleration of this reference point. These variables are functions of time t. Further, m,
c, k and F
e
(t) denote mass, damping, stiffness and external load, respectively.
In the following, damping will be omitted.
In order to allow for nonlinear material behaviour prior to and following attainment of ulti-
mate capacity, the stiffness term k u(t) is replaced by the nonlinear stiffness term R
f
(u) as
stated introductorily in this section. This resistance function R
f
(u) for a jacket structure can
be obtained from pushover analysis. Resistance functions will be dealt with in Section 6.3.2.
The subscript f refers to the fact that the resistance function is the result of a given external
load.
1
This is in accordance with current practice for establishment of resistance curve by use of pushover analysis
94 6 Simplied response analysis
The nonlinear equation of motion for the model thus reads
m
f
u +R
f
(u) = F
e
(t) (6.24)
where m
f
is the mass associated with the stiffness k
f
relevant for the spatial distribution of the
given external load. The model is illustrated in Figure 6.2. The spring stiffness indicated in
the model is the secant stiffness, and is related to the resistance function by k(u) = R
f
(u)/u.
Global load level
m
F
e
(t)
u
k(u)
Elastic rebound
Displacement
1
k
f
R
ult
R
el
R
res
u
el
u
ult
u
res
u
m
u
cap
Figure 6.2: SDOF model
The nonlinear resistance curve R
f
(u) obviously must be known prior to solving the equation
of motion. This is hardly a problem because of the important role resistance curves play in
documentation of the static performance of a jacket structure. It is evident that resistance
curves differ for different distribution of the external load, and thus the resistance function
must be obtained for the load distribution in question. Once a representative resistance func-
tion is available, it can be used either as is or approximated by a few straight lines. The
latter is convenient if the curve is not distinct (see for instance Figure 6.3), and the reason for
this is mathematical circumstances during establishment of the resistance curve.
As already mentioned, the response of the reference point at deck level is taken to represent
the structural behaviour.
6.3.2 Resistance functions
Relevant static characteristics of a jacket structure exposed to wave loading include nonlinear
resistance curves (static load - displacement curves), denoted R(u). The resistance curve
illustrates the structural restoring force or resistance R as a function of the displacement u
of a reference point of the structure, and thus gives information about the structures stiffness
6.3 SDOF model 95
R
res
R
ult
R
el
u
el
u
ult
u
res
Results from pushover analysis
Idealized approximation
Displacement
Resistance (force)
Figure 6.3: Load - deformation relationship
characteristics. Resistance curves are established by use of FE analyses subjecting the struc-
ture to all relevant wave scenarios. They are basically used to document the inherent reserves
of the structure when exposed to a given load scenario.
A typical resistance curve for a North Sea jacket subjected to horisontal wave load is shown
in Figure 6.3. The displacement is measured horisontally, commonly at deck level. The
global load level represents (static) resistance against the wave load, and is often normalised
against the design load in order to give the reserve strength ratio, RSR. An approximation of
the resistance curve with 4 straight lines is also indicated in the gure, in order to illustrate
the possibility for analytical representation of the curve.
6.3.3 Numerical solution
Solving Equation 6.24 for u yields:
u =
1
m
f
(F
e
(t) R
f
(u)) (6.25)
In this equation, u is not known, and the differential equation must be solved numerically.
The load value F
e
(t) for every time step must be known, and R
f
must be an unique function
of u. Having a prescribed value for the displacement start value u
(0)
, u
(0)
can be calculated
from Equation 6.24 for R
f
= R
f
(u = u
(0)
). Next step is to estimate u
(1)
, and having this
value, u
(1)
can be calculated. The procedure must then be repeated for the desired number of
time steps. There are several methods for estimating u
(s+1)
from previous values of u and u.
In this work the 2. central difference, which is a special case of the Newmark integration
equations (see Section A.1 in Appendix A), is used.
The 2. central difference method has several advantages. No spurious (numerical) damping
is involved, and the solution becomes exact as t 0. It is explicit (only information from
96 6 Simplied response analysis
present and previous time intervals is needed to estimate the displacement at the next interval)
and thus requires a minimum of computation time at each time interval.
The method has two disadvantages of which the consequences can easily be avoided by se-
lecting the time interval properly. One is that the resulting displacement time history includes
a negative period error and thus a shortening of the period. The period error increases rapidly
as the relation t/T
n
increases and approaches the stability limit which will be explained
shortly. Using e.g. t 0.05T
n
ensures that the period shortening is not larger than approx-
imately 0.5% (Newmark, 1959). The second disadvantage is that the 2. central difference is
only conditionally stable, t < (1/) T
n
= 0.318 T
n
being the criterion for stability. Se-
lecting the time interval as indicated above to minimise the period error, the stability criterion
is automatically fullled. The 2. central difference reads:
u
(s+1)
= 2u
(s)
u
(s1)
+ u
(s)
(t)
2
(6.26)
This expression leaves u
(1)
a problem since no value of u
(s1)
is known. For this special
case Biggs (1964) suggests to use
u
(1)
=
1
2
u
(0)
(t)
2
(6.27)
or
u
(1)
=
1
6
_
2 u
(0)
+ u
(1)
_
(t)
2
(6.28)
of which the former corresponds to assuming the acceleration to be constant during the rst
time step. The latter corresponds to assuming that the acceleration varies linearly through
the rst time step, and must be solved by trial and error since u
(1)
depends upon u
(1)
. If the
acceleration is zero at rst time step, Equation 6.28 must be used, in order not to have zero
acceleration also at the second time step, since if a load is applied, the acceleration will be
different from zero at the second time step.
For a given structure, if and when rebound occurs depends on the of the load history. Pro-
vided the load history is such that the displacement is reversed before the ductility limit of the
structure (u
cap
) is reached, the structure will rebound, in rst instance elastically. The max-
imum value of the displacement, u
m
, is not known in advance, but has to be found during
the calculations: at rst occurrence of u
(s+1)
< u
(s)
, u
m
is set equal to u
(s)
. The resistance
R
f
(u) is further expressed by
R
f
(u) = k
f
(u u
p
) (6.29)
which means that elastic rebound is a general elastic vibration problem but with a different
neutral axis u
p
equal to the permanent displacement. The governing equation of motion
during elastic rebound is
m
f
u +k
f
(u u
p
) = F
e
(t) (6.30)
6.3 SDOF model 97
The permanent displacement u
p
can be derived by compatibility considerations at maximum
displacement u = u
m
:
m
f
u +R
f
(u
m
) = m
f
u +k
f
(u u
p
) = F
e
(t) (6.31)
When solved with respect to u
p
Equation 6.31 reads
u
p
= u
m
R
f
(u
m
)
k
f
or u
p
= u
m
+
m
f
u F
e
k
f
at u = u
m
(6.32)
If the external force is constant from the time where u = u
m
, the amplitude in the following
free vibration is m
f
u/k
f
= u
m
u
p
F
e
(t)/k
f
. The last term vanishes if the force is zero.
6.3.4 Example
As an example, the outlined mathematical model is applied to a genuine SDOF structural sys-
tem. It will be illustrated how two different resistance functions result in different response.
The rst part of the example is identical to the example on page 21 - 26 in Biggs (1964, note
that Biggs uses British units lb and feet, these units are also used in the present example in
order to simiplify comparison). The example model and load history are illustrated in Figure
6.4, and the displacement response is sought. The mass used in the example is m = 2 lb
s
2
/ ft. The resistance function (Figure 6.5(a)) to be used is elastic perfectly plastic, with the
break point at u
el
= u
ult
= 0.055 ft and R
el
= R
ult
= 110 lb. This yields an elastic stiffness
of k = 2000 lb/ft.
m
F
e
(t)
u
k(u)
(a) SDOF model
0 0.10 0.14 0.50
0
50
100
F
o
r
c
e
[
l
b
]
Time [s]
(b) External force history
Figure 6.4: Example model layout
The natural period is T
n
= 0.199 s. In Biggs book, a time step of t = 0.02 is used. How-
ever, in order to reduce the period error a time step of t = 0.01 s is used herein. The
98 6 Simplied response analysis
resulting displacement response history is given in Figure 6.5(b). The maximum displace-
ment is u
m
= 0.099 ft and the permanent set is u
p
= 0.044 ft. The amplitude of the residual
vibrations is 0.030 ft.
0 0.055 0.099
0
110
Displacement [ft]
R
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
l
b
]
Max.
displ.
(a) Resistance function
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
f
t
]
Perm.
displ.
(b) Displacement response history
Figure 6.5: Resistance function and displacement response, elastic perfectly plastic case
Now look at an example where the resistance function is somewhat changed, see Figure
6.6(a). The initial elastic stiffness is kept unchanged, but at u = u
el
= 0.045 ft / the elastic
limit is reached corresponding to a resistance of R = R
el
= 90 lb, and the plastic domain is
entered. The ultimate capacity is reached when u = u
ult
= 0.075 ft and R = R
ult
= 110 lb.
Thereafter the capacity drops linearly to R
res
= 85 lb at u = 0.090 ft. The residual capacity
is thus = 85 lb.
0 0.075 0.126
0
85
110
Displacement [ft]
R
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
l
b
]
Max.
displ.
0.045 0.090
90
(a) Resistance function
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
f
t
]
F
e
(t)/k
f
Perm.
displ.
(b) Displacement response history
Figure 6.6: Resistance function and displacement response, elasto-plastic case
The maximum displacement is 0.126 ft, some 27% increased compared to the rst example,
and the permanent set is 0.084 ft has thus increased by a factor of almost 2. This is attributed
6.4 Application of the SDOF model to a real structural system 99
to the change in the resistance curve. In general, reduced area under the resistance curve will
give increased maximum- and permanent displacement if the other parameters are kept.
6.4 Application of the SDOF model to a real structural sys-
tem
Skallerud and Amdahl (2002) and Hansen (2002) have attempted to assess dynamic response
of a jacket platform by use of a nonlinear SDOF model as described previously. In both
references it is assumed that F
e
(t) is the total external load, and that a representative resis-
tance function R
f
(u) for xed offshore platforms can be established by use of static nonlinear
pushover analysis, subjecting the structure to the same external load (-distribution) that is to
be used during the dynamic analysis. The resistance function is related to the displacement u
at some reference point, normally at the deck level of the platform.
Under these assumptions, the SDOF model of the structure is based on the relationship be-
tween the reaction force (base shear or overturning moment) and the displacement of the top
of the structure due to external loading. The inertia forces in such a SDOF model then have
to be tuned to the spatial distribution of the studied external loading. That means that an
equivalent mass for the SDOF model has to be adopted according to m
f
= k
f
/
2
, where k
f
is the stiffness, i.e. the rst derivative of R
f
(u) with respect to displacement in the elastic
domain. The circular frequency is obtained from eigenvalue analysis of the structure. Note
that the equivalent mass is neither the physical mass integrated over the span nor a generalised
mass in the traditional sense.
In this section, the cantilever model from Section 6.2 will be used as an example:
f
0
(t)
x, u
m
c
m, EI
l
z
Figure 6.7: Cantilever with concentrated and distributed mass
The cantilever
2
has a height l = 5 m, and a circular cross section with outer diameter
D = 400 mm and wall thickness t
w
= 150 mm. Youngs modulus is 2.1 10
11
N/m
2
.
2
Note that the structure properties should not be taken literally to represent a cantilever structure.
100 6 Simplied response analysis
The concentrated and distributed masses are m
c
= 3.500 10
6
kg and m = 0.925 10
6
kg/m,
respectively. The rst natural period is 5.4 s. The external load has a triangular distribution,
and is quantied by f
0
(t). The load distribution in itself is time-invariant.
f(z, t) = f
0
(t)
z
l
(6.33)
The total force is F
e
(t) = f
0
(t)l/2.
The nite element analysis in this section are carried out using USFOS (Hellan et al., 1998).
6.4.1 Static analysis
The objective of the static FE analysis is to establish the resistance curve R
f
to be used in
dynamic SDOF analysis of the structure. The given triangular load distribution is used. The
resistance curve is illustrated in Figure 6.8.
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40
0
0.6
0.8
1.2
1.4
Displacement [m]
R
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
M
N
]
FE analysis triang. load
FE analysis inertia load
Analytical inertia load
0
0.2
0.4
1.0
Analytical triang. load
Figure 6.8: Finite element analysis, static resistance
The resistance function extends into the nonlinear region. It has a stiffness in the elastic
domain of k
f
= 11.4 MN/m. First yield occurs at u = 78 mm, at a load level of 0.883 MN.
The cross section is fully plastied at u = 112 mm, at load level 1.121 MN.
The resistance curve R
i
obtained when inertia of the mass is applied as static load is also
included in Figure 6.8. The inertia load is calculated based on the deected shape used in
Section 6.2, which is
(z) =
3
2
_
z
l
_
2
1
2
_
z
l
_
3
(6.34)
Exposed to this load, rst yield occurs at u = 90 mm, at a load level of 0.648 MN. This corre-
sponds to an elastic stiffness of k
i
= 7.2 MN/m. Note that this represents the stiffness during
6.4 Application of the SDOF model to a real structural system 101
free vibrations. Full plastication is reached at a load level of 0.821 MN, corresponding to a
displacement of u = 125 mm.
The resistances arising from Equations 6.6 and 6.14, which represent the analytical approach,
are also illustrated. The calculated elastic stiffnesses are k
f
= 11.47 MN/m and k
i
= 7.19
MN/m, respectively.
6.4.2 Dynamic analysis
A load time history is created by dening the time variation of f
0
(t). The normalised time
variation used in this example is illustrated in Figure 6.9. The load starts at zero, maximum
load occurs at t = 0.5 s and the returns to zero again at t = 1.0 s.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Time [s]
f
0
(
t
)
/
f
0
,
m
a
x
Figure 6.9: Scaling factor for external load
The dynamic displacement response history is calculated by use of SDOF model described in
Section 6.3, with the resistance function obtained by FE analysis (see previous section), and
with mass m
f
= k
f
/
2
. The circular frequency is obtained from eigenvalue analysis of the
structure using FE analysis. The results are compared to displacements calculated at the free
end of the cantilever model by use of nite element analysis.
The reaction base shear is calculated according to Equation 6.21 and compared to reaction
base shear obtained by FE analysis.
Results, elastic case
A total maximum load F
e
(t = 0.5s) = 1 MN is obtained by choosing f
0
(t = 0.5s) =
0.4 MN/m. The resulting displacement calculated by the SDOF model and nite element
analysis, respectively, is given in Figure 6.10. The maximum displacement for the SDOF
model is 0.0499 m. The corresponding value for the nite element model is exactly the same,
0.0499 m. From the gure, one can see the excellent agreement between the displacement
response for this case.
102 6 Simplied response analysis
0 5 10 15
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
FE analysis
Figure 6.10: Displacement of free end of cantilever
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
Displacement [m]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Pushover analysis
Dynamic FE analysis
Max. u and R from SDOF
Support forces from SDOF
t = 0.5 s
t = 0.6 s
t = 1.85 s
Figure 6.11: Restoring forces in dynamic analysis over 2 s vs. pushover analysis
In Figure 6.11 the structural resistance R
f
obtained from static nite element analysis is
plotted together with the (dynamic) reaction forces from both nite element analysis and
SDOF computation. The solid - dotted line is the support reaction force vs. the displacement
of the free end in the dynamic nite element analysis plotted for each 0.025 s of the rst 2
seconds of simulation. From t = 0 (at u = R
f
(u) = 0) to t = 0.5 s the reaction force
increases rapidly, analogous to a very stiff response. This is the time needed to accelerate the
mass. Shortly thereafter (approximately at t = 0.6 s) the maximum reaction force is reached.
Further, the reaction force decreases and increases a few times until maximum displacement
is reached at t = 1.85 s. These variations indicate that higher order vibration modes are
excited. The reaction forces (dash-dotted line) calculated from the SDOF model by Equation
6.21 agrees fairly well with the reaction forces from the nite element analysis. Of course
the higher order vibrations are not captured.
In Figure 6.12 the reaction forces for all time steps up to t = 15 s are illustrated, together
6.4 Application of the SDOF model to a real structural system 103
0.06 0.04 0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06
0.4
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Displacement [m]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Pushover analysis
Dynamic FE analysis
Max. u and R from SDOF
Support forces from SDOF
Figure 6.12: Restoring forces in dynamic analysis vs. pushover analysis
with the static structural resistance. One can see how the reaction forces after the initial peak
settles in a new and softer global state, and varies along a straight line representing the
free vibration stiffness. The local variations around this softerglobal state are due to higher
order vibrations. The reaction force from the SDOF model agrees very well during these free
vibrations.
Clearly, it can be seen that the structure behaves softer during free vibrations than under
(increasing) external forces. The dynamic stiffness during free vibrations is from the gure
taken to be approximately 7.2 MN/m, which agrees well with the free vibration stiffness
calculated previously by nite element analysis (7.2 MN/m) and the analytically obtained
value (7.19 MN/m) see Section 6.4.1.
Results, plastic case
So far, we have restricted the behaviour to the elastic region. Using a total load of 3 MN
in the dynamic analysis, the displacements enter the plastic region. The response history is
illustrated in Figure 6.13.
The SDOF model predicts slightly larger maximum displacement 0.163 m than the
nite element model 0.155 m. The results from both methods indicate some plastic de-
formation and therefore permanent displacement of the free end of the cantilever. The SDOF
model computes a permanent displacement caused by plastic deformation of 0.064 m, which
is signicantly larger than the permanent displacement from the nite element analysis
0.03 m (this value cannot be directly extracted from USFOS, and is therefore approximated
from Figures 6.13 and 6.15).
This is likely due to the difference between the nonlinear behaviour under inertia forces and
the nonlinear behaviour under external loading alone, as obtained in pushover analysis. The
difference can be noticed in Figure 6.8.
104 6 Simplied response analysis
0 5 10 15
0.1
0
0.1
0.2
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
FE analysis
Figure 6.13: Displacement of free end of cantilever
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
0
0.5
1
1.5
Displacement [m]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Pushover analysis
Dynamic FE analysis
Max. u and R from SDOF
Support forces from SDOF
t = 0.5 s
t = 0.6 s
t = 1.99 s
Figure 6.14: Restoring forces in dynamic analysis over 2.25 s vs. pushover analysis
In Figure 6.14, one can see that the course of the reaction force in time is similar to the elastic
case (studied in Figures 6.11 and 6.12), except the magnitude which is larger. Maximum
displacement is reached at t = 1.99 s. The local variations indicate that higher order vi-
bration modes are excited, like in the elastic case. The reaction forces calculated from the
SDOF model by Equation 6.21 (dash-dotted line) has an acceptable agreement with the re-
action forces from the nite element analysis in the initial phase. However, when settling in
free vibrations, one can clearly see that the SDOF model has resulted in larger permanent
displacements.
A global free vibration stiffness of 7.2 MN/m seems to be a representative estimation also
in this case, according to Figure 6.15 which shows structural reaction force for all time steps.
It is expected that the difference between the displacement obtained by the SDOF model and
nite element analysis will be reduced if the difference between the nonlinear behaviour of
the two load cases, i.e. inertia forces and external loads, is accounted for by an adjusted
6.5 A modied mass term 105
0.1 0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
1
0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
Displacement [m]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
Pushover analysis
Dynamic FE analysis
Max. u and R from SDOF
Support forces from SDOF
Figure 6.15: Restoring forces in dynamic analysis vs. pushover analysis
mass term. This matter is treated in the following.
6.5 A modied mass term
6.5.1 The modication factor
m
Again the dynamic equilibrium equation for the employed SDOF system is presented:
m
f
u +R
f
(u) = F
e
(t) (6.35)
This equation predicts well the displacements that remain within the elastic domain where
R
f
(u) = k
f
u, but fails to predict displacements that enter the plastic domain. It is likely
that this is because the effect of the nonlinear behaviour under inertia loading is not captured,
and in the following an attempt is made to include this effect by modifying the inertia force
term m
f
u. If we look at static equilibrium at an instant in time for the cantilever under free
vibrations and include nonlinear behaviour through the term R
i
(u) we have
R
i
(u)=
_
l
0
m(z) u(z, t) dz m
c
u(l, t)
=m
i
u(l, t) (6.36)
where R
i
is the static resistance curve obtained under a load with the same distribution as
inertia loading as shown in Figure 6.8. While Equation 6.36 denes the nonlinear behaviour
under inertia loading, in Equation 6.35 the nonlinear behaviour under inertia loading is gov-
erned by R
f
which however is representative for the external loading only. In order to com-
bine them and account for the nonlinear behaviour under both m
i
u and F
e
in one equation
106 6 Simplied response analysis
i.e. make them refer to the same stiffness, Equation 6.36 is scaled with a factor R
f
(u)/R
i
(u),
giving
R
f
(u) =
R
f
(u)
R
i
(u)
m
i
u(l, t) (6.37)
The mass m
i
is associated with the stiffness during free vibrations k
i
in the same way as m
f
is associated with k
f
:
k
f
m
f
=
k
i
m
i
=
2
m
i
=
k
i
m
f
k
f
(6.38)
Substituting for m
i
from Equation 6.38 into Equation 6.37:
R
f
(u) =
k
i
k
f
R
f
(u)
R
i
(u)
m
f
u(l, t) (6.39)
The adjusted mass term in the right hand side of Equation 6.39 is used in the SDOF model.
The fraction multiplier is from now on denoted
m
:
m
=
k
i
k
f
R
f
(u)
R
i
(u)
(6.40)
The modied dynamic equilibrium nally reads:
m
m
f
u +R
f
(u) = F
e
(t) (6.41)
m
is effectively the normalised (against elastic behaviour) nonlinear behaviour under ex-
ternal load divided by normalised nonlinear behaviour under inertia loading, and captures
the possible difference in the nonlinear behaviour for the two load cases external load and
inertia forces.
Applying this modication factor to the mass term, only the dynamic part of the equilibrium
equation is inuenced. Thus, if the load has a static nature, the acceleration will be nearly
zero, and the contribution from the mass term and thus
m
is negligible.
At each time step during the calculation, there exists a given relation between u and u, deter-
mined by the dynamic equilibrium equation. This equilibrium equation differs for the (possi-
bly non-linear) phase where the displacement u increases, and the elastic rebound phase. In
the rst phase where the displacement increases, Equation 6.41 is determining. In the rebound
phase, where
m
by denition is 1.0, Equation 6.42 below is determining (this expression for
equilibrium in the rebound phase is identical to the expression given for the non-modied
SDOF model).
m
f
u +k
f
(u u
p
) = F
e
(t) (6.42)
6.5 A modied mass term 107
At the point where the displacement is at its maximum and the structure starts to rebound,
these two equations must both be valid.
The mass modier
m
will in case of plastic behaviour be discontinuous at u = u
m
(unless
if the external loading has identical distribution to the generated inertia force). This discon-
tinuity leads to a discontinuity in R
f
at the same point; the value of R
f
(u
m
) picked from the
resistance curve used in Equation 6.41 is different from the value of R
f
(u
m
) = k
f
(u
m
u
p
)
in Equation 6.42. This sudden change in the R
f
-value does not really have a physical mean-
ing, but is is a consequence of modifying the mass term in the SDOF model, and ensures a
representative prediction of the physical values displacement, velocity and acceleration.
The simplest way to calculate u
p
is to use Equation 6.42 as a basis. The permanent displace-
ment is thus:
u
p
= u +
m
f
u F
e
k
f
at u = u
m
(6.43)
With this modied SDOF model, the displacement for the previously described case with
plastic response (Section 6.4.2) is recalculated. The resulting displacement history is shown
in Figure 6.16, together with the results from the case without adjusted mass term.
0 5 10 15
0.1
0
0.1
0.2
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE analysis
Figure 6.16: Displacement of free end of cantilever
The agreement with the nite element analysis is improved, particularly during the rst posi-
tive displacement amplitude. The maximum displacement calculated by the modied SDOF
model is 0.155 m, and the permanent displacement is 0.040 m. The maximum displace-
ment computed by nite element analysis is 0.155 m, i.e. the agreement is very good. As
mentioned earlier, the permanent displacement cannot be extracted from USFOS, but was
previously (Section 6.4.2) taken to be approximately 0.03 m. The modied SDOF model
estimates the permanent displacement well.
The reaction force calculated by use of the SDOF model with and without adjusted mass
term is shown in Figure 6.17, as well as the reaction force from nite element analysis. The
agreement has clearly improved.
108 6 Simplied response analysis
0.10 0.05 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
1.0
0.5
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
Displacement [m]
F
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE analysis
Figure 6.17: SDOF, restoring forces with / without modied mass term
6.5.2 The implications of
m
If R
f
(u)/R
i
(u) k
f
/k
i
for a given u, then
m
(u) 1.0 for this value of u. Opposite,
if R
f
(u)/R
i
(u) k
f
/k
i
, then
m
(u) 1.0. This can be illustrated as shown in Figure
6.18, where R
f
, R
i
and nally R
i
k
f
/k
i
for two different types of stiffness characteristics
are plotted. In cases where the curve for R
i
k
f
/k
i
lies underneath the R
f
curve,
m
(u)
1.0. This, in turn, indicates that R
i
has a less favourable load (i.e. mass) distribution in the
sense of plastic behaviour than R
f
. Correspondingly, if R
i
k
f
/k
i
lies above the R
f
curve,
m
(u) 1.0.
Displacement [m]
R
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
M
N
]
0
0
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.5
R
i
R
f
R
i
k
f
/k
i
(a)
m
1
Displacement [m]
R
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
M
N
]
0
0 1 2 3
50
100
150
R
i
R
f
R
i
k
f
/k
i
(b)
m
1
Figure 6.18: Typical scenarios for stiffness characteristics for
m
1 and
m
1
6.6 Summary 109
If
m
(u) = 1.0, meaning that R
f
(u)/R
i
(u) = k
f
/k
i
or R
f
(u)/k
f
= R
i
(u)/k
i
for the range
of displacements in question, the response is not inuenced and the original SDOF and the
modied SDOF model will give identical results.
m
(u) < 1.0 results in increase in the acceleration absolute value, and
m
(u) > 1.0 corre-
spondingly leads to reduced absolute value of the acceleration. The inuence of this increase
/ reduction on the displacement depends on the direction of the acceleration compared to the
direction of the displacement. In general, a reduction of the intensity of the acceleration leads
to a reduction of the displacement magnitude (compared to the pure SDOF model).
In practice this means:
u < 0 u decreases
m
(u) < 1.0 increased | u|
u > 0 u increases
u < 0 u decreases
m
(u) > 1.0 reduced | u|
u > 0 u increases
The sign of the acceleration depends on the relative size of the static resistance and the exter-
nal load, as follows:
u =
1
m
(u) m
f
(F
e
(t) R
f
(u)) (6.44)
If we assume that plastic deformation happens for positive displacement which is the
condition in the analysed cases in the present project the acceleration is negative if F
e
(t) <
R
f
(u).
For wave loading conditions that lead to signicant plastic deformation, the static resistance
R
f
when approaching u
m
will normally be constant or decreasing for increasing displacement
u. Simultaneously, the external load is still considerable, and is most likely larger than the
resistance R
f
. Under such conditions, the real value of the acceleration is likely to be positive.
Loading conditions of highly impulsive nature, e.g. explosion loading, will lead to a different
behaviour as long as the natural period of the structure is considerably longer than the load
duration, which is only a fraction of a second. As the displacement approaches its (positive)
maximum, the impulsive load history is already past, thus F
e
(t) R
f
(u) and the accelera-
tion is negative. A structural conguration and load distribution giving
m
(u) < 1.0, such as
the cantilever described previously, will experience a more negative acceleration when sub-
ject to the modied SDOF model, and the (positive) maximum displacement will be reduced.
This is documented in Section 6.5.1.
6.6 Summary
In this chapter the structural response to external load as opposed to that of inertia forces has
been discussed. It is demonstrated how dynamic considerations, including the presence of
110 6 Simplied response analysis
mass in a structural system, alter the deected shape, and consequently the global stiffness,
obtained by static considerations.
Further, a simplied method to assess structural dynamic response has been outlined. The
method is a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model based on the following structural prop-
erties:
An equivalent stiffness (nonlinear if relevant) as obtained from static methods, e.g. push-
over analysis, subjecting the structure to the relevant load distribution.
An equivalent mass which is associated with the initial elastic stiffness from the pushover
analysis mentioned above and with the natural period of the structure (as obtained from
eigenvalue analysis).
The application of the SDOF model has been demonstrated on a cantilever with distributed
and concentrated mass, which can be regarded a strong idealisation of jacket type structures.
The resulting response time histories have been compared to response obtained by nite ele-
ment analysis of the cantilever structure.
In the case where the response remains elastic, very good agreement has been obtained be-
tween SDOF computation and nite element analysis for displacement response. There is
also good agreement for the support forces.
For the plastic case there is a deviation both in the calculated displacement time history,
permanent displacement and support force between SDOF and nite element analysis. Better
agreement is achieved between the SDOF analyses and the nite element analyses by taking
into account the nonlinear behaviour under pure inertia loading. An adjustment of the mass
term in the SDOF equilibrium equation is particularly suggested for this task.
The SDOF model is in the following sought validated against nite element analyses of a
jacket structure (Chapter 7).
Chapter 7
Simplied response analysis of
jacket structure model DS
7.1 Introduction
This chapter comprises simplied dynamic analyses of jacket model DS using the single
degree of freedom (SDOF) model presented in Chapter 6.3. The results from the simplied
analyses are validated against results from nite element analyses.
The objective of the chapter is to investigate to what extent the SDOF model can predict dy-
namic response of jacket structures exposed to wave(-in-deck) loading, and further to identify
factors that contribute to discrepancies between the results obtained using the SDOF model
and those obtained using nite element analysis.
In Section 7.2 information about the model DS and its loading conditions is briey repeated.
The analysis results are presented in Section 7.3, and a thorough discussion of the results is
given in Section 7.4.
7.2 Structural model and external loading
The structural model, load scenarios and nite element analyses are described in detail in
Chapter 5 and in the analysis input les in Appendix C. The model is shown in Figure 7.1.
The external load time histories are repeated in Figure 7.2. An important aspect of these load
histories is the fact that the distribution of the load along the jacket varies with time as the
wave travels through the structure. This implies that a static resistance curve R
f
calculated
for a particular load scenario (wave height, -period, water depth) is chosen to correspond to
the load at one single instant in time of the wave cycle. It is therefore necessary to carefully
111
112 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
Figure 7.1: Model DS
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
25
0
25
50
75
100
125
Time [t]
W
a
v
e
f
o
r
c
e
[
M
N
]
d = 75 m
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 7.2: Model DS, load history generated, H = 33 m and T = 16 s for different water
depths
consider at which phase angle the load distribution is most representative for the dynamic
response results, and use this distribution to obtain R
f
.
In this study, the most relevant distribution is taken to occur when the load at deck level is
7.3 SDOF analyses 113
at its maximum, since this load distribution is likely to be the major initiator of the dynamic
behaviour. The details of the static analyses carried out in order to obtain the resistance
curves R
f
of the model, which are necessary for the simplied assessment, are also described
in Chapter 5. For simplicity, the structural resistance curves are illustrated again in Figure
7.3, together with the resistance curve R
i
obtained for a load distribution identical to the
distribution of inertia forces in the rst vibration mode.
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0
50
100
150
200
Displacement [m]
S
t
r
u
c
t
u
r
a
l
r
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
[
M
N
]
R
f
, d = 75 m
R
f
, d = 76 m
R
f
, d = 77 m
R
f
, d = 78 m
R
f
, d = 79 m
R
f
, d = 80 m
R
f
, d = 81 m
R
i
Figure 7.3: Stiffness curves in terms of base shear (BS) for different water depths
7.3 SDOF analyses
7.3.1 Summary
SDOF analysis is run for each case that is analysed in Section 5.3, in total for 7 cases. The
results, comprising maximum and permanent displacements are summarised in Table 7.1.
For all cases except for water depths d = 80 m and d = 81 m the modied SDOF analyses
give maximum displacement u
m
and permanent displacement u
p
identical to
1
or larger than
found using the original SDOF. At water depth d = 81 m the SDOF analyses break down due
to excessive displacements. FE analysis in general yields larger u
m
than the SDOF methods
where no or only little plasticity is involved, and smaller u
m
in cases with many plasticity
incidents and signicant permanent displacement. The permanent displacements calculated
by the FE method are in general smaller than those calculated by the SDOF methods. The
difference is signicant when much plastic deformation is present.
The response time histories generated with the SDOF model for four selected cases are,
together with the results from FE analysis, illustrated in Figures 7.5 to 7.9. Note that an addi-
tional curve is included in all subgures of these gures. This curve represents the response
calculated by use of FE analysis for a case where the distribution of the load is kept constant
during the complete load time history, denoted FE c.d. (c.d. is an abbreviation of constant
distribution). The value of the total load at each time instant is not changed.
1
SDOF and modied SDOF giving identical results means that the behaviour is linear.
114 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
Table 7.1: Results from SDOF analyses of model DS, h = 33 m, T = 16 s
Water Deck Wave Orig. SDOF Mod. SDOF FE analysis
depth inund. load BS * u
m
u
p
u
m
u
p
u
m
u
p
[m] [m] [MN] [m] [m] [m] [m] [m] [m]
75.0 0.25 73.4 0.139 0.000 0.139 0.000 0.147 0.000
76.0 1.18 75.1 0.203 0.000 0.203 0.000 0.221 0.000
77.0 2.12 81.7 0.287 0.001 0.290 0.013 0.314 0.000
78.0 3.06 90.2 0.369 0.031 0.387 0.068 0.407 0.038
79.0 4.00 97.9 0.554 0.224 0.609 0.298 0.537 0.126
80.0 4.94 103.9 2.018 1.782 1.890 1.670 0.728 0.324
81.0 5.88 108.9 NA ** NA ** NA ** NA ** 1.030 0.645
* BS = base shear
** Displacement grows unlimited, meaning total collapse
7.3.2 Results, details
The variable
m
(the mass modier described in Section 6.5) is, when different from 1.0,
positive for all the analysed cases with exception of negligible variations around 1.0 due to
minor differences in k
i
/k
f
and R
f
/R
i
. This is illustrated in Figure 7.4. For d = 75 m and
d = 76 m
m
1 because no plastic behaviour is detected by the SDOF models.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.9
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Time [s]
m
d = 75 m
d = 76 m
d = 77 m
d = 78 m
d = 79 m
d = 80 m
d = 81 m
Figure 7.4: Time histories of
m
If
m
exceeds 1.0, the absolute value of the acceleration will decrease. When the maximum
displacement is approached in a case with some (but not excessive) plastic behaviour, the
acceleration is frequently negative, retarding the movement (see Figures 7.6(c) and 7.7(c)).
Areduced retardation (attributed to
m
) leads to increased displacement compared to a SDOF
computation disregarding the effect of
m
. Thus for the medium water depths analysed and
their corresponding medium forces, the modied SDOF model gives larger displacements
than the original SDOF model.
7.3 SDOF analyses 115
Water depths d = 75 m and d = 77 m, see Figures 7.5 and 7.6 The dynamic response
calculated for the case with d = 75 m by both FE analysis and SDOF analyses is purely
elastic, and the original and the modied SDOF therefore give identical results. For d = 77
m the structure experiences some plastic deformations, resulting in the modied SDOF model
giving slightly larger displacements than the original SDOF model. The stiffness properties
used for the SDOF analyses are calculated for the load distribution when the deck load is at its
maximum at t = 4.1 s (see Section 7.2). For these water depths this neither coincides with the
largest total load on the platform nor is the most unfavourable with respect to displacement
of the deck.
For d = 75 m the SDOF models compute displacement-, velocity- and acceleration responses
in relatively good agreement with the FE analyses. They underestimate the maximum dis-
placement by some 6%. Essentially the SDOF results are between the FE wave and FE c.
d. results.
The SDOF models underestimates the maximum displacement by some 8 - 9% for d = 77
m, the modied SDOF giving 1% larger displacement than the original SDOF. At this water
depth, the SDOF responses clearly follow the responses for the FE constant load distribution
case, whereas the FE variable distribution case has both larger velocity and accelerations,
resulting in larger vibration amplitudes following the maximumdisplacement. This illustrates
the signicance of the variation in load distribution through the wave cycle, an effect which
is not captured in the SDOF models.
Water depth d = 79 m, see Figure 7.7 The modied SDOF model computes 13% larger
maximum displacement than the FE wave analysis, and the original SDOF model results
in 3% overestimation. The modied SDOF gives a value which is almost 10% larger than
the original SDOF. The displacement response resulting from the FE c. d. analysis is of the
same nature as the SDOF analyses, whereas the FE wave analysis have larger residual am-
plitudes following the maximum displacement. This is true for both displacement-, velocity-
and acceleration response.
Water depths d = 80 m and d = 81 m, see Figures 7.8 and 7.9 Both the FE c.
d. analysis and the SDOF analyses highly overestimates the displacement compared to the
FE wave analysis. The effect of the variable distribution of the load becomes even more
pronounced than in the cases with smaller water depths and correspondingly smaller total
load.
The modied SDOF computes 6% smaller displacement than the original SDOF at d = 80
m.
The SDOF analyses and the FE c. d. analysis breaks down for the d = 81 m case. The
acceleration grows unlimited, and therefore also the displacement. However, the FE wave
analysis with variable load distribution results in limited maximum displacement (1.03 m)
and acceleration (2.07 m/s
2
).
Again, the effect of the variation of the load distribution following the variation in sea surface
level is seen to be to a considerable extent determining for the response.
116 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(a) Displacement
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.1
0.05
0
0.05
0.1
Time [s]
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y
[
m
/
s
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(b) Velocity
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.4
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
Time [s]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(c) Acceleration
Figure 7.5: Response at d = 75 m
7.3 SDOF analyses 117
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(a) Displacement
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.4
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Time [s]
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y
[
m
/
s
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(b) Velocity
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
Time [s]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(c) Acceleration
Figure 7.6: Response at d = 77 m
118 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(a) Displacement
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
1
0.5
0
0.5
1
Time [s]
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y
[
m
/
s
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(b) Velocity
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
3
2
1
0
1
2
Time [s]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(c) Acceleration
Figure 7.7: Response at d = 79 m
7.3 SDOF analyses 119
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(a) Displacement
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.5
0
0.5
1
Time [s]
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y
[
m
/
s
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(b) Velocity
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
2
1
0
1
2
Time [s]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(c) Acceleration
Figure 7.8: Response at d = 80 m
120 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(a) Displacement
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
1
0
1
2
3
Time [s]
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y
[
m
/
s
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(b) Velocity
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
2
1
0
1
2
3
Time [s]
A
c
c
e
l
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
[
m
/
s
2
]
SDOF
Mod. SDOF
FE wave
FE, c. d.
(c) Acceleration
Figure 7.9: Response at d = 81 m
7.4 Discussion 121
7.4 Discussion
Surface elevation
Figures 7.5 to 7.9, in particular the two last ones, illustrate clearly that the effect of the
variation in surface elevation through the wave cycle is signicant.
The static resistance curve R
f
is based on the load distribution at one chosen instant in time.
The SDOF model is based solely on this resistance curve, it is thus implicitly assumed that
the load distribution at any time instant is identical to the distribution used to establish the R
f
curve. This is obviously an assumption with important implications.
If neglecting the dynamic effects (damping, if included, and inertia forces), what remains is a
time depended static displacement. For the SDOF models this displacement curve is based on
the stiffness as given by the static resistance curve, whereas a FE program will compute the
displacements from the instant and true load distribution. The displacement response arising
from such a time domain simulation of the d = 79 m case (plasticity is neglected) illustrates
this, see Figure 7.10.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
Time [s]
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
[
m
]
SDOF
FE analysis
Figure 7.10: Example of elastic displacement response without inertia effects
Clearly, the effect of the load on the displacement of the reference point (at the deck level) in
the FE analysis is smaller than in the SDOF analysis, except for at that time instant where the
FE model is subjected to a load distribution which equals the distribution that characterises
the SDOF model. At all other times, the FE model is subjected to a load distribution which
has less effect on the displacement of the reference point, i.e. a load distribution which
makes the structure respond stiffer. We can dene a load effect, limited to elastic behaviour,
as follows:
F
(t) =
u
s,FE
(t)
u
s,SDOF
(t)
=
F
e
(t)
k
FE
(t)
k
f
F
e
(t)
=
k
f
k
FE
(t)
(7.1)
where k
FE
(t) = F
e
(t)/u
s,FE
, i.e. the total force divided by the static displacement of
the reference point calculated by FE analysis. Note that this measure is not dened for zero
122 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
displacement. Note also that load effect must be dened relative to a chosen load distribution,
in our case the distribution relevant at the time for maximum wave-in-deck load. For the
above case
F
1 for all nonzero values of u, indicating that the real effect of the load
is smaller than it would have been if the load distribution remained constant and equal to
the max-load distribution (which is the basis for the SDOF models). The SDOF models are
thus pessimistic during most of the simulation time. If the chosen load distribution is the
one giving the largest displacement response for the reference point (i.e. giving the lowest
stiffness), the calculated stiffness (k
f
) is smaller than the true stiffness k
FE
(t) arising from
the instant load distribution at all time instants except for the time of the maximum loading.
SDOF analyses vs. FE wave analyses
The SDOF models compute maximum displacements that are in good agreement with the FE
analysis results for load conditions that give elastic or near elastic response, despite the fact
that the resistance curve is based on a load distribution that is only true at one single instant
in time. The general reason for this is that such load conditions imply limited wave-in-deck
loads. With limited wave-in-deck loads the vibration amplitudes are accordingly limited, and
the main contribution to the total displacement is the static, elastic displacement. I.e. there
will only be limited displacement oscillations around the curves given in Figure 7.10, which
have the same values at maximum displacement.
It is, however, clear from the response curves given that the FE analysis with variable load
distribution (FE wave) differ in nature from both the SDOF results and the results from the
FE analysis with constant load distribution (FE c. d.).
Acceleration for a SDOF model is determined from
u =
1
m
m
(u)
(F(t) R
f
(u)) (7.2)
If transferring this to the FE model, one must imagine that the term F(t) R
f
(u), is smaller
because of the smaller load effect / larger stiffness which affects R
f
. In other words, the
structural stiffness is greater in real life than given by R
f
. Smaller load effect leads to
smaller acceleration. But as the time of maximum wave-in-deck loading is approached, the
stiffness of the FE model decreases, and the term in parentheses grows quicker in the FE
model than in the SDOF model. This results in a more rapid increase in acceleration and
therefore displacement response for the FE model than for the SDOF model. Which one of
the models - FE or SDOF - that nally will give the largest (maximum) displacement depends
on how pronounced the load effect is prior to this, as well as other factors such as degree of
plastic behaviour. The load effect will typically be less pronounced for load conditions that
give small wave-in-deck loads and more pronounced for conditions that give large wave-in-
deck loads.
For all the analysed cases the FE wave analyses give larger positive acceleration peak value
around the time for the maximum load than the SDOF models. The consequences of this
7.4 Discussion 123
is that the FE wave model yields slightly larger displacement than the SDOF model, how-
ever only for analysis cases with elastic response or with limited plastic deformation. The
SDOF model will enter the plastic domain earlier in the load history than the FE wave
model, and the displacements, which obviously grow faster in this domain, will reach a larger
value before the unloading starts. This inuences the maximum displacement increasingly
for increasing inundation. The SDOF model therefore overestimate maximum displacements
increasingly compared to the FE wave analyses as the inundation and the external load
increase.
Skallerud and Amdahl (2002, Section 9.4) present an example of application of their SDOF
model
2
to an undamped jacket platform with ductile and semi-ductile (static) resistance. The
results are presented in form of ductility spectra and the maximum response for the actual
natural period of the system. The resulting maximum displacement responses are compared
to results from nite element analysis of the jacket (reported by Stewart (1992)). The SDOF
analyses underpredicted the FE results by some 20 - 30%. The agreement is in the book
characterised as not bad in view of the inaccurate representation of the resistance curve and
the load history. The exact meaning of inaccurate representation of the load history is,
however, not clear. It might imply that the load history is read from the illustration of the
load in Stewarts paper, it might comprise the fact that the variation of load distribution for
the jacket cannot be included in the SDOF model, or it might be a combination of the two. It
is, however, in the opinion of the author of this thesis, impossible to know how much of the
deviation that really can be attributed to inaccurate input values, and how much is a result of
the simplication of the jacket structure to a SDOF model. It is, on the other hand, clear from
this thesis that the simplication of a MDOF system to a SDOF system of the type used in
this thesis in itself leads to a considerable miscalculation of the response compared to nite
element analysis. The deviation mainly arises from disregarding the time variation of the
load distribution in the SDOF analysis, and this miscalculation is increased with increasing
permanent plastic deformations.
Modied SDOF vs. original SDOF
The combination of structural conguration and external load distribution result in
m
(u)
1.0 for relevant displacements for all analysed cases. This leads to smaller acceleration abso-
lute value for the modied SDOF model (for details on
m
(u) see Section 6.5.2). Compared
to the original SDOF model, the result is a reduction of displacement if the acceleration has
the same sign as the displacement, and an increase of displacement if acceleration and dis-
placement have opposite sign.
The modied SDOF model computes reduced displacements compared to the original SDOF
model under loading conditions that lead to a large degree of plastic deformation. For load-
ing conditions that result in elastic or near elastic response, the modied SDOF model will
yield increased displacements. This is in accordance with the description of
m
s manner of
2
This SDOF model is formulated identically to the original SDOF model presented in this thesis see Section
6.3.
124 7 Simplied response analysis, model DS
operation in Section 6.5.2. However, the differences between the two SDOF approaches are
relatively small.
Chapter 8
Conclusions and recommendations
8.1 Summary and conclusions
The aim of this doctoral work has been to improve the understanding of the dynamic effects
of wave-in-deck loading on the response of jacket platforms. Finite element analyses have
been used to simulate response time series. In addition, and as an inherent part of the work,
simplied methods for calculation of wave-in-deck load magnitude and time history have
been evaluated and the use of a simplied model to predict response to wave-in-deck loading
has been investigated.
In the following, the work carried out is summarised. The item lists comprise the conclusions
drawn from each part of the work.
Wave-in-deck loading
An overview over existing methods or approaches for the estimation of wave-in-deck loading
is given.
Further, formulae for calculation of simplied load time histories based on linear (Airy) wave
theory combined with drag and two different momentum wave-in-deck load approaches, de-
noted Mom and Mom-Vinje, are presented. In addition, these drag and momentum approaches
are used to obtain wave-in-deck load histories with wave kinematics based on Stokes 5th or-
der wave theory.
The formulae mentioned above was compared with reported wave-in-deck load time histories
from a study in which computational uid dynamics (CFD) technique was used to calculate
wave-in-deck loading on idealised platform decks.
The ndings were:
The momentum approach denoted Mom is identical to a drag approach with C
d
= 2.
125
126 8 Conclusions and recommendations
The Mom-Vinje momentum approach is approximately equal to a drag approach, however
in our case for an equivalent C
d
of 5.6 for Airy theory and 4.1 for Stokes 5th
order theory. The C
d
needed to match the Mom-Vinje approach and a drag approach is
dependent on the wave scenario.
With the two above items in mind, it is concluded that the question of whether to use drag
or momentum formulation reduces to a question of which drag factor to use, alternatively
which one of of the two momentum approaches to use.
A simplied formulae are probably adequate for establishment of wave-in-deck force
histories for a simple hull- or box-like deck geometry.
The main results from wave-in-deck load experiments related to a possible subsidence sce-
nario at the Statfjord eld in the northern North Sea are referred. These results are further
evaluated for the purpose of being used as a basis for the calculation of wave-in-deck load
time histories for the jacket models used in this thesis.
An expression for the estimation of a reference load value (Equation 4.20), which together
with the given time history (Figure 4.12) is sufcient to establish a rough but reasonable
load time history for wave-in-deck loading on jacket structures, has been presented. The
method in general, and its validity range in particular, should be subject to wave tank testing
in order to obtain more data supporting, or possibly updating, the method.
The results from the Statfjord experiments also show that the vertical wave-in-deck loads are
of the same magnitude as the horisontal loads. The vertical loading should be included in any
platform (re)assessment study that includes wave-in-deck forces. Vertical loads have been
outside the scope of the present work.
Time domain nite element analyses of jacket structures
Two jacket models with different brace congurations, and therefore different post collapse
behaviour, are analysed under static and dynamic assumptions using nite element methodo-
logy. The external loading comprises extreme wave loading, wave-in-deck loading as dened
in Chapter 4, current and buoyancy loading. Increasing wave-in-deck loading is simulated by
increasing the water depth, corresponding to increasing seabed subsidence.
The following conclusions are drawn from the results of the analyses:
Wave-in-deck forces inuence a structure not only by their magnitude, which is signi-
cant compared to the wave load on the jacket itself, but also because they alter the load
distribution in a manner that introduces high forces into (relatively) weaker parts of the
structure such as the deck legs (immediately below the deck).
Whereas static ultimate capacity is a unique and informative measure of nonlinear struc-
tural performance when related to a given load distribution, the dynamic performance
should be evaluated against allowable response values, such as displacements and accel-
erations, at relevant locations in the structure for each single load scenario.
8.1 Summary and conclusions 127
Typical jacket structures with a rst natural period of a few seconds will experience
dynamic amplication, i.e. increase of response, when subjected to wave-in-deck load
histories as the ones used herein. This applies to both the displacement response and the
base shear forces.
Typical jacket structures that can be characterised as ductile may resist dynamic loading
with higher peak load than its static capacity relevant for the same load distribution. For
load durations typical for wave-in-deck loading, this favourable effect is attributed to the
beyond-ultimate-capacity ductility of the structure as opposed to any attenuating effects
of the inertia of the mass (in fact, all analyses show dynamic amplication).
On the other hand, brittle jackets may collapse under dynamic loading that is consider-
ably smaller than the static capacity associated with the load distribution in question.
In case of wave-in-deck loading, acceptable displacements may correspond to excessive
accelerations. It is therefore important to pay explicit attention to acceleration response
during (re)assessment of structures. In the present study, accelerations are considerably
more pronounced for the brittle structural model than for the ductile one, although the
latter has larger displacement response.
The simplied model for response analyses
The nature of structural response to external load as opposed to that of inertia forces is dis-
cussed. The static deected shape of a structural system due to a given load distribution is
used as a basis. It is demonstrated how dynamic considerations, including the presence of
mass, alter the deected shape and consequently the global stiffness of the structure.
The mass distribution, which leads to a different distribution for the inertia forces than
for the externally applied load, results during vibrations in a deected shape differing
from the static deected shape. During vibration, the deected shape of the jacket may
be more or less curved (softer or stiffer) than the static deected shape. As a con-
sequence, yielding may be initiated at a different displacement level and the ultimate
capacity expressed as e.g. base shear may be changed (relative to static behaviour).
A simplied method to assess structural dynamic response is presented. The method is a
single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model built around a static pushover analysis with a given
external load distribution. The application of the SDOF model is demonstrated on a cantilever
with distributed and concentrated mass subjected to a triangularly distributed load. The re-
sulting response is compared to response obtained by nite element analysis of the cantilever
structure. The following conclusions are drawn:
In the case where the response remains elastic, good agreement is obtained between
SDOF computation and nite element analysis for displacement response. There is also
good agreement for the support forces.
128 8 Conclusions and recommendations
In the case where the response is brought into the plastic domain there is a clear deviation
both in the calculated displacement time history, permanent displacement and support
force between the SDOF analysis and the nite element analysis.
In lieu of the deviations between the SDOF model and FE analyses found when using the
above mentioned (original) SDOF model, a modication to the mass term is suggested.
The modication is based on the stated differences in behaviour under externally applied
loading and inertia loading. The modication is included in a modied SDOF model in
the form of a mass term multiplier which is dependent on the instant displacement, denoted
m
(u) where u is the displacement. This mass term modier is determined based on the
resistance curve under the applied loading in question and the resistance curve under loading
with the same distribution as the inertia forces in the relevant vibration mode.
Examining the mass multiplier and applying the modied SDOF model to the cantilever
structure it becomes clear that:
The mass modier
m
provides a quantication of the differences between the distribu-
tion of externally applied load and inertia forces, the latter corresponding to the vibration
mode in question and the mass distribution, in terms of stiffness and capacity.
The mass modier
m
directly inuences the magnitude of the acceleration.
By taking into account the nonlinear behaviour under pure inertia loading using
m
,
better agreement is achieved between the SDOF analyses and the FE analyses.
The original and the modied SDOF models are further used to compute the response of a
real jacket, namely the jacket model DS which was previously analysed by use of nite
element technique. The response determined by use of FE analysis is used to evaluate the
quality of the results computed by the SDOF models. In addition, another set of FE analyses
is run for all loading scenarios with a load time history of which the magnitude is identical to
the wave load time history, but with a non-varying spatial load distribution.
The conclusions drawn from this part of the work are:
Loading conditions that imply limited wave-in-deck loading do lead to elastic or near
elastic response, i.e. to no or only limited plastic deformations. These loading condi-
tions do only generate limited dynamic response compared to the quasi-static response.
For the larger levels of inundation and correspondingly larger wave-in-deck loading, the
dynamic part of the response is increasing. The wave-in-deck loading then contributes
signicantly to the structural dynamics.
For loading conditions leading to limited dynamic response, i.e. conditions with limited
wave-in-deck loading, the SDOF models yields maximumdisplacement response in good
agreement with the FE analyses.
As the loading conditions worsens and the inundation and the plastic permanent displace-
ment increase the SDOF models overestimate the response increasingly.
8.2 Recommendations for further work 129
The differences between the original and the modied SDOF model are minor compared
to the deviations from the nite element results for cases involving a certain degree of
plastic deformation.
The effect of the variation of the load distribution through a wave cycle is considerable,
and is not included in the SDOF models. This effect is the main error source when
applying the SDOF models to a case that includes varying load distribution. This should
motivate future investigation of the SDOF models and in particular the mass modier
m
for loading situations with non-varying load distributions.
The miscalculation of the response attributed to the time variation of the load distribution
when using any of the SDOF models becomes more pronounced for increasing plastic
deformation.
Within a short time prior to maximum wave-in-deck load, that is as the wave crest ap-
proaches the deck front wall and the sea surface elevation increases, the total wave load
distribution changes rapidly in the way that the resultant horisontal load vector translates
upwards (in positive z-direction). If relating the external load to the resulting horisontal
displacement of the topside, the effect corresponds to a stiffer jacket behaviour changing
towards a softer jacket behaviour.
This rapid change in load distribution prior to maximum load leads to a different devel-
opment of accelerations for real wave-in-deck loading compared to loading with non-
varying distribution. The development of the acceleration for the real wave-in-deck load-
ing is favourable in the sense that it retards the structural motion and thereby contributes
to the structural ability to resist large dynamic load of limited duration.
8.2 Recommendations for further work
It is further desirable to performinvestigations of dynamic response under wave-in-deck load-
ing including damping and relevant pre-load histories implying initial values different from
zero.
The effect of using overturning moment instead of base shear as a measure of loading and
capacity in the SDOF models could be a further step from the present work. It would also be
interesting to use a load time history based on the dashed curve of Figure 7.10 as opposed to
the solid curve (the curves represent displacements, however, loads are given by multiplying
with the elastic stiffness).
Acceleration levels are identied as a point of concern in this work, however the effect of
brittle vs. ductile structural behaviour on acceleration levels could be investigated more thor-
oughly.
Waves that are large enough to reach the deck of an offshore platform generate not only
horisontal but also vertical forces. The vertical forces are of considerable magnitude, and
their inuence on the dynamic performance of offshore structures should be subject to further
investigations.
130 8 Conclusions and recommendations
Validation of the recommendations relating to wave-in-deck load time history in Chapter 4
through tank tests of wave-in-deck loading on jacket decks would be strongly recommended.
Particularly the validity range in terms of inundation should be examined.
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Technology Conference 1994, Houston, Texas, USA. OTC 7474.
Vinje, T. (2001). Presentation given at Wave-in-deck Seminar at Statoil 17 January 2001.
Printed in compendium from the seminar.
Vinje, T. (2002). Comments to the dnv rules regarding slamming pressures. Open note
prepared for Statoil.
Wheeler, J. D. (1970). Method for calculating forces produced by irregular waves. Journal
of Petroleum Technology, page 359.
Wisch, D., Stear, J., Versowsky, P., Welsch, J., and Abadin, J. (2005). Experiences from
select shelf and deepwater xed platforms during Hurricane Ivan. In Proceedings of the
Offshore Technology Conference 2005, Houston, Texas, USA. OTC 17735.
Appendix A
Mathematical issues
A.1 2. central difference a special case of the Newmark
method
In this appendix, it will be shown that the Newmark method of numerical integration with
parameters = 0 and = 1/2 reduces to the 2. central difference method.
The general governing equations for the Newmark method are given as follows (Langen
and Sigbj ornsson, 1979):
u
(s+1)
= u
(s)
+ u
(s)
t + (1/2 ) u
(s)
(t)
2
+ u
(s+1)
(t)
2
(A.1)
u
(s+1)
= u
(s)
+ (1 ) u
(s)
t + u
(s+1)
t (A.2)
Substitute = 0 and = 1/2 into equations A.1 and A.2, respectively:
u
(s+1)
= u
(s)
+ u
(s)
t +
1
2
u
(s)
(t)
2
(A.3)
u
(s+1)
= u
(s)
+
1
2
u
(s)
t +
1
2
u
(s+1)
t (A.4)
If u
(s+1)
is expressed by equation A.3, then u
(s)
is expressed by
u
(s)
= u
(s1)
+ u
(s1)
t +
1
2
u
(s1)
(t)
2
(A.5)
139
140 A Mathematical issues
and accordingly if u
(s+1)
is expressed by equation A.4, then u
(s)
is expressed by
u
(s)
= u
(s1)
+
1
2
u
(s1)
t +
1
2
u
(s)
t (A.6)
Now we subtract each side of equationA.5 from A.3:
u
(s+1)
u
(s)
= u
(s)
u
(s1)
+ u
(s)
t u
(s1)
t +
1
2
(t)
2
_
u
(s)
u
(s1)
_
(A.7)
Now we substitute equation A.6 for u
(s)
into equation A.7:
u
(s+1)
u
(s)
= u
(s)
u
(s1)
+ u
(s1)
t +
1
2
(t)
2
_
u
(s1)
+ u
(s)
_
u
(s1)
t +
1
2
(t)
2
_
u
(s)
u
(s1)
_
(A.8)
Collecting terms:
u
(s+1)
= 2u
(s)
u
(s1)
+ (t)
2
u
(s)
(A.9)
Equation A.9 is the equation known as the 2. central difference, and facilitates estimation
of the displacement at the following time step based on the acceleration at the previous time
step and the displacement at the two previous time steps.
Appendix B
Comments related to the nite
elements analyses
B.1 Using static analysis models for dynamic analysis
An analysis model prepared for static analyses is frequently not suited for dynamic analysis
without putting considerable effort into improvement of the model. The reason is that most
equipment, additional attachments, life boat platform etc. are modeled as forces while in
reality being masses. In a dynamic analysis model the masses are required.
Also, masses that by nature are distributed, such as water lling in cellar deck, deck members
or legs, grouting in legs etc. are commonly modeled as distributed element forces in static
analyses. In order to establish a representative mass model for dynamic analysis, these must
be converted to masses, evenly distributed over the exposed area or lumped to the nearest
node. Today most nite element programs require such masses to be represented by an in-
creased density of the elements in question, alternatively as lumped masses at the nodes, both
being time consuming processes where the potential to do something wrong is considerable.
In the opinion of the author, any nite element program that is intended for both static and
dynamic analyses of frame structures should support input options such as distributed and
concentrated mass at any place of an (beam) element span in addition to the common option
mass on node. Obviously, a source of error will be avoided when not having to calculate total
mass from masses that are distributed by nature. In particular, the upgrading of old (static)
models to dynamic models will be simplied due to such options.
It is also strongly recommended that preparation of input les to traditional static FE analyses
should be carried out with focus on mass as opposed to force in all cases where external
loading arise from masses. This will facilitate the use of one analysis model for both static
and dynamic analysis.
141
142 B Comments related to the nite elements analyses
Appendix C
Input les to nite element
analysis
C.1 Model DS
C.1.1 Structure le stru.fem
HEAD
Geom ID
GENBEAM 10026 8.00000E-02 1.00000E-06 1.00000E-06 4.00000E-02
1.00000E-05 1.00000E-05 4.00000E-02 6.00000E-02
1.00000E-05
GENBEAM 10027 6.00000E-02 1.00000E-06 1.00000E-06 4.00000E-02
1.00000E-05 1.00000E-05 4.00000E-02 6.00000E-02
1.00000E-05
GENBEAM 10028 1.92000E+00 1.00000E-06 1.00000E-06 1.00000E-06
1.00000E-05 1.00000E-05 1.00000E-05 1.00000E-05
1.00000E-05
Loc-Coo dx dy dz
UNITVEC 10001 0.000 0.000 1.000
UNITVEC 10029 -0.014 -0.011 1.000
UNITVEC 10030 -0.032 0.144 0.989
UNITVEC 10031 -0.144 0.032 0.989
UNITVEC 10032 0.011 0.014 1.000
UNITVEC 10033 -0.148 0.050 0.988
UNITVEC 10035 -0.050 0.148 0.988
UNITVEC 10036 0.011 -0.014 1.000
UNITVEC 10037 -0.144 -0.032 0.989
UNITVEC 10038 -0.032 -0.144 0.989
UNITVEC 10039 -0.014 0.011 1.000
152 C Input les to nite element analysis
UNITVEC 10040 -0.050 -0.148 0.988
UNITVEC 10042 -0.148 -0.050 0.988
UNITVEC 10043 0.014 0.011 1.000
UNITVEC 10044 0.032 -0.144 0.989
UNITVEC 10045 0.144 -0.032 0.989
UNITVEC 10046 -0.011 -0.014 1.000
UNITVEC 10047 0.148 -0.050 0.988
UNITVEC 10049 0.050 -0.148 0.988
UNITVEC 10050 -0.011 0.014 1.000
UNITVEC 10051 0.144 0.032 0.989
UNITVEC 10052 0.032 0.144 0.989
UNITVEC 10053 0.014 -0.011 1.000
UNITVEC 10054 0.050 0.148 0.988
UNITVEC 10056 0.148 0.050 0.988
UNITVEC 10113 0.696 -0.696 0.174
UNITVEC 10125 0.948 0.092 0.304
UNITVEC 10126 0.530 0.838 0.128
UNITVEC 10127 -0.838 -0.530 0.128
UNITVEC 10128 -0.092 -0.948 0.304
UNITVEC 10129 -0.224 -0.934 0.277
UNITVEC 10130 0.412 -0.828 0.380
UNITVEC 10131 0.828 -0.412 0.380
UNITVEC 10132 0.934 0.224 0.277
UNITVEC 10133 0.696 0.696 0.174
UNITVEC 10145 -0.092 0.948 0.304
UNITVEC 10146 -0.838 0.530 0.128
UNITVEC 10147 0.530 -0.838 0.128
UNITVEC 10148 0.948 -0.092 0.304
UNITVEC 10149 0.934 -0.224 0.277
UNITVEC 10150 0.828 0.412 0.380
UNITVEC 10151 0.412 0.828 0.380
UNITVEC 10152 -0.224 0.934 0.277
UNITVEC 10153 -0.696 0.696 0.174
UNITVEC 10165 -0.948 -0.092 0.304
UNITVEC 10166 -0.530 -0.838 0.128
UNITVEC 10167 0.838 0.530 0.128
UNITVEC 10168 0.092 0.948 0.304
UNITVEC 10169 0.224 0.934 0.277
UNITVEC 10170 -0.412 0.828 0.380
UNITVEC 10171 -0.828 0.412 0.380
UNITVEC 10172 -0.934 -0.224 0.277
UNITVEC 10173 -0.696 -0.696 0.174
UNITVEC 10185 0.092 -0.948 0.304
UNITVEC 10186 0.838 -0.530 0.128
UNITVEC 10187 -0.530 0.838 0.128
UNITVEC 10188 -0.948 0.092 0.304
UNITVEC 10189 -0.934 0.224 0.277
UNITVEC 10190 -0.828 -0.412 0.380
UNITVEC 10191 -0.412 -0.828 0.380
UNITVEC 10192 0.224 -0.934 0.277
UNITVEC 10193 0.992 0.015 0.122
UNITVEC 10194 -0.992 0.015 -0.122
UNITVEC 10195 -0.992 -0.015 0.122
UNITVEC 10196 0.992 -0.015 -0.122
UNITVEC 10197 0.000 -0.124 -0.992
UNITVEC 10199 0.000 -0.992 0.124
UNITVEC 10200 1.000 0.000 0.000
UNITVEC 10202 0.124 0.000 -0.992
UNITVEC 10207 0.000 -0.696 -0.718
UNITVEC 10209 0.000 -0.696 0.718
UNITVEC 10217 0.000 0.124 -0.992
UNITVEC 10219 0.000 -0.992 -0.124
UNITVEC 10220 -1.000 0.000 0.000
UNITVEC 10226 -0.124 0.000 -0.992
UNITVEC 10229 0.000 -1.000 0.000
UNITVEC 10234 0.000 0.000 -1.000
UNITVEC 10241 0.865 0.502 0.000
C.1 Model DS 153
UNITVEC 10243 -0.865 0.502 0.000
UNITVEC 10246 -0.609 0.000 -0.793
UNITVEC 10247 -0.992 0.000 -0.124
UNITVEC 10251 0.733 0.000 -0.680
UNITVEC 10263 0.000 0.992 -0.124
UNITVEC 10268 0.000 0.737 -0.676
UNITVEC 10270 0.000 0.737 0.676
UNITVEC 10272 0.000 0.992 0.124
UNITVEC 10290 0.819 0.574 0.000
UNITVEC 10292 -0.819 0.574 0.000
UNITVEC 10295 -0.753 0.000 0.659
UNITVEC 10300 -0.753 0.000 0.658
UNITVEC 10319 0.000 0.767 -0.642
UNITVEC 10321 0.000 0.767 0.642
UNITVEC 10343 0.740 0.672 0.000
UNITVEC 10345 -0.740 0.672 0.000
UNITVEC 10348 -0.566 0.000 -0.824
UNITVEC 10350 0.992 0.000 0.124
UNITVEC 10353 -0.802 0.000 0.597
UNITVEC 10373 0.000 0.839 -0.545
UNITVEC 10375 0.000 0.839 0.545
UNITVEC 10395 -0.707 0.707 0.000
UNITVEC 10397 0.619 0.785 0.000
UNITVEC 10399 -0.619 0.785 0.000
UNITVEC 10402 -0.707 -0.707 0.000
UNITVEC 10404 0.699 -0.715 0.000
UNITVEC 10407 0.707 0.707 0.000
UNITVEC 10410 0.000 1.000 0.000
UNITVEC 10415 -0.708 -0.706 0.000
UNITVEC 10416 -0.690 0.724 0.000
UNITVEC 10418 -0.691 0.723 0.000
UNITVEC 10422 0.707 -0.707 0.000
UNITVEC 10463 -0.689 0.725 0.000
UNITVEC 10464 -0.709 -0.706 0.000
UNITVEC 10465 -0.690 0.723 0.000
UNITVEC 10467 -0.692 0.722 0.000
UNITVEC 20001 -0.496 0.000 -0.868
UNITVEC 20005 0.000 -0.496 -0.868
UNITVEC 20007 0.496 0.000 -0.868
UNITVEC 20011 0.000 0.496 -0.868
UNITVEC 30002 0.000 0.997 0.083
UNITVEC 30010 0.000 0.978 0.209
UNITVEC 30013 -0.588 -0.809 0.005
UNITVEC 30014 -0.588 0.809 0.005
UNITVEC 30022 -0.885 0.449 0.126
UNITVEC 30023 -0.885 -0.449 0.126
UNITVEC 30024 0.704 0.704 0.088
UNITVEC 30026 0.876 0.474 0.091
UNITVEC 30027 0.831 0.416 0.369
UNITVEC 30028 0.000 -0.994 0.108
UNITVEC 30029 -0.059 -0.992 0.108
UNITVEC 30031 0.000 -0.999 0.045
UNITVEC 30032 0.000 0.999 0.045
UNITVEC 30033 0.686 0.686 0.243
UNITVEC 30034 0.000 -0.999 0.032
UNITVEC 30035 0.999 0.000 0.050
Ecc-ID Ex Ey Ez
ECCENT 10002 0.015 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10004 -0.015 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10005 0.026 0.026 0.207
ECCENT 10006 -0.235 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10007 -0.026 0.026 0.207
ECCENT 10008 0.235 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10010 -0.145 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10012 0.145 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10013 -0.009 -0.009 -0.069
154 C Input les to nite element analysis
ECCENT 10015 0.009 -0.009 -0.069
ECCENT 10021 -0.026 -0.026 0.207
ECCENT 10023 0.026 -0.026 0.207
ECCENT 10029 0.009 0.009 -0.069
ECCENT 10031 -0.009 0.009 -0.069
ECCENT 10034 0.000 0.015 0.000
ECCENT 10036 0.000 -0.015 0.000
ECCENT 10038 0.000 -0.235 0.000
ECCENT 10040 0.000 0.235 0.000
ECCENT 10042 0.000 -0.145 0.000
ECCENT 10044 0.000 0.145 0.000
ECCENT 10065 0.000 -0.080 0.000
ECCENT 10068 -0.080 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10069 0.080 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10073 0.000 0.080 0.000
ECCENT 10079 0.000 -0.105 0.000
ECCENT 10082 -0.105 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10083 0.105 0.000 0.000
ECCENT 10087 0.000 0.105 0.000
Material specifications
-----------------------
Group definitions
------------------
156 C Input les to nite element analysis
Deck frame
Launch frames
NonStru Group 52 55
NonStru Visible
Ildcs Option
BUOYANCY 1 NoWrite
Wave loads
----------
Wave-in-deck load (for magnitude see file deckforce_values.xls) for deck width 47 m.
Current profile
---------------
Z Cm
Hydro_Cm 3.00 1.6
-4.00 1.6
-4.01 1.2
-85.0 1.2
The dragfactor for (two at the time of) elements 40011 - 40018
is calculated based on Cs = 3 and that they each cover 23.5 m
of the deck wall width.
Hyd_CdCm 70.5 0.0 40011 40018 ! Forces -y direction
Hyd_CdCm 70.5 0.0 40012 40013 ! Forces -x direction
Hyd_CdCm 70.5 0.0 40014 40015 ! Forces +y direction
Hyd_CdCm 70.5 0.0 40016 40017 ! Forces +x direction
Marine growth
-------------
Z Add_Thick
M_GROWTH 2.02 0.00
2.01 0.00
2.00 0.10
-40.00 0.10
-40.01 0.05
-85.00 0.05
Jacket legs:
Flooded 11201 12201 13201 14201 15201
11202 12202 13202 14202 15202
11302 12302 13302 14302 15302
11402 12402 13402 14402 15402
12208 12209 12210 12211
C.1 Model DS 159
12309 12311
12409 12411
Risers:
Flooded 30020 30021 30022 30023
30030
30040 30041 30042 30043
30050 30051 30052 30053
30060 30061 30062 30063
30209 30309 30409 30509 30609
Caissons:
Flooded 30044 30045 30046 30047 30049
30054 30055 30056 30057 30059
30064 30065 30066 30067 30069
----------------------------------------------------------------
CNODES 1
nodex idof dfact
40041 1 1.0
Load combinations
--------------------------
CCOMB 1 1
CCOMB 2 9 12
alpha1 alpha2
RAYLDAMP 0.00997 0.00366
REL_VELO
----------------------------------------------------------------
DynRes_G WaveLoad
DynRes_G WaveElev
DynRes_G WaveOVTM
DynRes_G ReacBSH
DynRes_G ReacOVTM
DynRes_N Disp 40041 1
DynRes_N Vel 40041 1
DynRes_N Acc 40041 1
Lin_Elem 0 All
CNODES 1
nodex idof dfact
40041 1 1.0
Ini_time 1.0
WavCase1 31 1
alpha1 alpha2
RAYLDAMP 0.00997 0.00366
REL_VELO
----------------------------------------------------------------
DynRes_G WaveLoad
DynRes_G WaveElev
DynRes_G WaveOVTM
DynRes_G ReacBSH
DynRes_G ReacOVTM
DynRes_N Disp 40041 1
DynRes_N Vel 40041 1
DynRes_N Acc 40041 1
CDYNPAR -0.3
168 C Input les to nite element analysis
PCOR_ON
cmin cneg itmax isol epsit cminneg
CITER 0.0 -2 30 1 0.00001 -0.0
CNODES 1
nodex idof dfact
40041 1 1.0
Ini_time 1.0
ScaleFac
EigForce 29798 ! Totalt 100 MN
alpha1 alpha2
RAYLDAMP 0.00997 0.00366
REL_VELO
Loc-Coo dx dy dz
UNITVEC 1 0.000 1.000 1.000
Ecc-ID Ex Ey Ez
Mat ID S P R I N G C H A R.
SPRIDIAG 16 2.67000E+09 2.67000E+09 4.67000E+09
1.16000E+11 1.16000E+11 8.94000E+10
Node ID M A S S
NODEMASS 29 1.50000E+06
NODEMASS 30 1.50000E+06
180 C Input les to nite element analysis
NODEMASS 33 1.50000E+06
NODEMASS 36 1.50000E+06
NODEMASS 211 7.61200E+05
NODEMASS 212 7.61200E+05
NODEMASS 213 7.61200E+05
NODEMASS 223 7.61200E+05
NODEMASS 229 9.59200E+05
Ildcs Option
C.2 Model DE 181
BUOYANCY 1 NoWrite
Wave loads
----------
Wave-in-deck load (for magnitude see file deckforce_values.xls) for deck width 47 m.
Hydrodynamic factors
--------------------
The dragfactor for (two at the time of) elements 1411 - 1418
is calculated based on Cs = 3 and that they each cover 20 m
of the deck wall width.
Cd Cm
Hyd_CdCm 0.85 2.0
Hyd_CdCm 0.0 0.0 1346 1348 1350 1351 1352
1353 1354 1355 1356
1366 1367 1368 1369 1370
1404 1405 1414 1415
1401 1402 1403 1404 1405 1406 1407 1408
1411 1412 1413 1414 1415 1416 1417 1418
Hyd_CdCm 0.0 0.0
Hyd_CdCm 60.0 0.0 1411 1418 ! Forces -x direction
Hyd_CdCm 60.0 0.0 1412 1413 ! Forces -y direction
Hyd_CdCm 60.0 0.0 1414 1415 ! Forces +x direction
Hyd_CdCm 60.0 0.0 1416 1417 ! Forces +y direction
Z Add_Thick
M_GROWTH 5.000 0.0
2.000 0.0
0.000 0.055
-15.000 0.053
-23.000 0.040
-32.000 0.035
-35.000 0.028
-45.000 0.025
-55.000 0.0
-67.000 0.0
FLOODED 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010
1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020
1021 1022 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1030
1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 1037 1038 1039 1040
1041 1042 1044 1045 1046 1047 1048 1049 1050
1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060
1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070
1071 1072 1073 1074 1075 1076 1077 1078 1079 1080
1081 1082 1083 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 1090
1091 1092 1093 1094 1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100
1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110
1111 1112 1113 1114 1115 1116 1117 1118 1119 1120
1121 1122 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130
1131 1132 1133 1134 1135 1136 1137 1138 1139 1140
1141 1142 1143 1144 1145 1146 1147 1148 1149 1150
1151 1152 1153 1154 1155 1156 1157 1158 1159 1160
1161 1162 1163 1164 1165 1166 1167 1168 1169 1170
1171 1172 1173 1174 1175 1176 1177 1178 1179 1180
1181 1182 1183 1184 1185 1186 1187 1188 1189 1190
1191 1192 1193 1194 1195 1196 1197 1198 1199 1200
1201 1202 1203 1204 1205 1206 1207 1208 1209 1210
1211 1212 1213 1214 1215 1216 1217 1218 1219 1220
1221 1222 1223 1224 1225 1226 1227 1228 1229 1230
1231 1232 1233 1234 1235 1236 1237 1238 1239 1240
1241 1242 1243 1244 1245 1246 1247 1248 1249 1250
1251 1252 1253 1254 1255 1256 1257 1258 1259 1260
1261 1262 1263 1264 1265 1266 1267 1268 1269 1270
1271 1272 1273 1274 1275 1276 1277 1278 1279 1280
1281 1282 1283 1284 1285 1286 1287 1288 1289 1290
1291 1292 1293 1294 1295 1296 1297 1298 1299 1300
1301 1302 1303 1304 1305 1306 1307 1308 1309 1310
1311 1312 1313 1314 1315 1316 1317 1318 1319 1320
1321 1322 1323 1324 1325 1326 1327 1328 1329 1330
1331 1332 1333 1334 1335 1336 1337 1338 1339 1340
1341 1342 1343 1344
----------------------------------------------------------------
CNODES 1
nodex idof dfact
212 1 1.0
CCOMB 1 1
CCOMB 2 9 12
alpha1 alpha2
RAYLDAMP 0.00997 0.00366
REL_VELO
----------------------------------------------------------------
DynRes_G WaveLoad
DynRes_G WaveElev
DynRes_G WaveOVTM
DynRes_G ReacBSH
DynRes_G ReacOVTM
Dynres_N Disp 212 1
Lin_Elem 0 All
CNODES 1
nodex idof dfact
212 1 1.0
Ini_time 1.0
WavCase1 31 1
alpha1 alpha2
RAYLDAMP 0.00997 0.00366
REL_VELO
----------------------------------------------------------------
DynRes_G WaveLoad
DynRes_G WaveElev
DynRes_G WaveOVTM
DynRes_G ReacBSH
DynRes_G ReacOVTM
Dynres_N Disp 212 1
CDYNPAR -0.3
PCOR_ON
cmin cneg itmax isol epsit cminneg
CITER 0.0 -2 30 1 0.00001 -0.0
CNODES 1
nodex idof dfact
212 1 1.0
Ini_time 1.0
alpha1 alpha2
RAYLDAMP 0.00997 0.00366
REL_VELO