Study on a magnetorheological elastomer-base device for offshore platform vibration control

Abstract

Wave loading is one of the leading factors contributing to fatigue damage of offshore platforms. Vibrations in marine platforms due to nonlinear hydrodynamic forces can reduce platform productivity, endanger safety, and affect serviceability. This article presents numerical evaluation of a magnetorheological elastomer device for wave-induced vibration reduction of offshore platform. Random wave loadings are estimated by wave spectrum analysis and Morison’s equations. By altering field-induced stiffness of magnetorheological elastomers and non-resonance control strategy, the wave-induced vibration of offshore platform is effectively reduced, and the magnetorheological elastomer device presents strong control robustness under various wave loadings. This work indicates that magnetorheological elastomer-base device may open a new insight for vibration mitigation of ocean structures.