Simplified Method to Assess Dynamic Response of Jacket Type Offshore Platforms Subjected to Wave Loading

Abstract

Dynamic response of offshore platforms subjected to wave and current is of fundamental importance in analysis. The first step in dynamic analysis is computing dynamic characteristics of the structure. Because of pile-soil-structure and fluid-structure interactive effects in the dynamic behavior, the model is very complex. In this paper a simplified model for dynamic response of jacket-type offshore structures subjected to wave loading is used. Since wave loads on offshore platforms vary with time, they produce dynamic effects on structures. In the model used in this paper, all of the structural elements are modeled as vertical equivalent cylinders that are in the direction of the wave crest. In the simplified model, the degrees of freedom are considered at the seabed, jacket horizontal elevations and topside center of gravity. The stiffness properties of the model are computed considering the stiffnesses of the vertical bracings, legs and piles. The structural mass is considered as lumped nodal masses at horizontal elevations and topside center of gravity. The hydrodynamic added mass in addition to the structural masses was modeled at jacket horizontal elevations. In the simplified model, for computing wave loading, the projected areas of all members in the direction of the wave crest are considered. For the wave loading calculation, Morison equation is considered. The fluid velocities are calculated for the submerged portions of the structures using a computer program developed for this purpose. In this program both Airy and Stokes wave theories can be used. This model can be used to assess dynamic properties and responses of jacket type offshore structures. The model is used to assess the response of three jacket-type offshore platforms in Persian Gulf subjected to loadings due to several waves. The results in terms of dynamic characteristics and responses were compared with the more accurate analysis results using SACS software. The results are in a good agreement with the SACS analysis outputs, i.e. structural periods, mode shapes and dynamic response.