Nonlinear Effects on Fatigue Analysis for Fixed Offshore Structures

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Gaidai ◽  
Arvid Naess

Fatigue analysis for fixed offshore structures is an important practical issue. These structures are often drag dominated, which makes the deck response a non-Gaussian process when it is assumed that the irregular waves are Gaussian. Incorporating nonlinear and non-Gaussian modeling in the fatigue analysis can be a complicated issue, cf. work of Madhavan Pillai and Meher Prasad [2000, “Fatigue Reliability Analysis in Time Domain for Inspection Strategy of Fixed Offshore Structures,” Ocean Eng., 27(2), pp. 167–186]. The goal of this paper is to provide evidence that for drag dominated offshore structures it is, in fact, sufficient to perform linearization in order to obtain accurate estimates of fatigue damage. The latter fact brings fatigue analysis back into the Gaussian domain, which facilitates the problem solution. Beyond straightforward linearization of the exciting wave forces, this paper employs two different approaches accounting for nonlinear effects in fatigue analysis. One is an application of the quadratic approximation approach described in the work of Naess and co-workers [1997, “Frequency Domain Analysis of Dynamic Response of Drag Dominated Offshore Structures,” Appl. Ocean. Res., 19(3), pp. 251–262;1996, “Stochastic Response of Offshore Structures Excited by Drag Forces,” J. Eng. Mech., ASCE, 122, pp. 155–160]. to the stochastic fatigue estimation of jacket type offshore structures. An alternative method proposed is based on a spectral approximation, and this approximation turns out to be accurate and computationally simple. The stress cycles causing structural fatigue are considered to be directly related to the horizontal excursions of the fixed offshore structure in random seas. Besides inertia forces, it is important to study the effect of the nonlinear Morison type drag forces. Since no direct method for dynamic analysis with Morison type forces is available, it is a goal to find an accurate approximation, allowing efficient dynamic analysis. This has implications for long term fatigue analysis, which is an important issue for design of offshore structures.

Author(s):  
O. Gaidai ◽  
A. Naess

This paper presents different approaches for accounting for nonlinear effects in fatigue analysis. One approach is an application of the quadratic approximation method described in [3, 4] to the stochastic fatigue estimation of jacket type offshore structures. An alternative method proposed is based on a spectral approximation, and this approximation turns out to be quite accurate and computationally simple. The stress cycles causing structural fatigue are considered to be directly related to the horizontal excursions of the fixed offshore structure in random seas. Besides inertia forces, it is important to study the effect of the nonlinear Morison type drag forces. Since no direct method for dynamic analysis with Morison type forces is available, it is a goal to find an accurate approximation, allowing efficient dynamic analysis. This has implications for long term fatigue analysis, which is an important issue for design of offshore structures.


Author(s):  
Leonardo Nascimento ◽  
Luis Sagrilo ◽  
Gilberto Ellwanger

In the assessment of marine structures in shallow waters domain it is important to take into account the nonlinear (or non-Gaussian) nature of the irregular waves when predicting short and long-term responses of such structures. Other sources of nonlinearities in the response are also present due to some nonlinear effects such as: wet-dry surface effects, wind force on dry parts of the structure, drag term in Morison hydrodynamic force equation, etc. The estimation of the characteristic short-term extreme responses requires the extreme value analysis of a non-Gaussian stochastic process. There are many approaches available in literature which can be employed, such as: Hermite-based model, Weibull-fitting model, etc. In this paper two distinct Weibull fitting models (one based on the first two and other based on the first three moments of the response peaks sample) and Hermite-based models using both conventional and linear moments (L-moments) are investigated for the prediction of extreme short-term response of mono-column wind tower installed in a water depth of 20m and subject to wave, current and wind loading. The tower responses (load effects) time-histories are obtained by means of a time-domain finite element-based program using 3-D geometric nonlinear beam elements developed for the dynamic analysis of this type of structure. In this program, the nonlinear behavior of the irregular waves is modelled by means of the second order Sharma and Dean theory [1] and the wind forces are represented by a very simplified load model based on wind velocity simulated time-series and the obstruction area of the tower and blades.


Author(s):  
Steven R. Winterstein ◽  
Cameron A. MacKenzie

Wind and wave loads on offshore structures show nonlinear effects, which require non-Gaussian statistical models. Here we critically review the behavior of various non-Gaussian models. We first survey moment-based models; in particular, the four-moment “Hermite” model, a cubic transformation often used in wind and wave applications. We then derive an “L-Hermite” model, an alternative cubic transformation calibrated by the response “L-moments” rather than its ordinary statistical moments. These L-moments have recently found increasing use, in part because they show less sensitivity to distribution tails than ordinary moments. We find here, however, that these L-moments may not convey sufficient information to accurately estimate extreme response statistics. Finally, we show that four-moment maximum entropy models, also applied in the literature, may be inappropriate to model broader-than-Gaussian cases (e.g., responses to wind and wave loads).


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 276-283
Author(s):  
N. Haritos

When dealing with the probabilistic estimation of the peak response of an offshore structure dynamically responding under excitation by unidirectional irregular waves, it becomes apparent that nonlinearities introduced by the wave-structure interaction, and principally associated with the drag contribution of the Morison force model that has been traditionally used to describe this forcing, leads to non-Gaussian statistical properties of not only the forcing, but also the response. However, it is also apparent that for lightly damped structures, the response under certain circumstances can be very “narrow-banded,” and hence its statistical description would then approach the Gaussian form irrespective of whether the forcing associated with the response is itself highly non-Gaussian or otherwise. This paper treats both a numerical and experimental investigation of the peak response characteristics of compliant bottom-pivoted surface-piercing cylinders subjected to hydrodynamic excitation by unidirectional Pierson-Moskowitz (P-M) irregular waves and modeled as single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) oscillators with a fixed “straight line” mode shape (the result of the bottom-pivoted support condition). Conditions under which the response can reasonably be approximated as Gaussian are identified via an upcrossing investigation for the likely peak response in a storm of a nominated period of duration.


Author(s):  
Halvor Lie ◽  
Karl E. Kaasen

For offshore floating structures, such as semi-submersible platforms, TLPs and SPARs viscous drag forces on columns and truss work may give significant contributions to the low frequency loads and responses. Calculating such loads based on just potential theory, which is common, can be significantly insufficient. The viscous loads depend nonlinearly on waves and current in combination. In particular, correct low frequency loading is important in the design of mooring systems for offshore structures. The paper describes some intermediate results from a project aiming at formulating dynamic frequency domain models for low frequency viscous excitation and damping of floating structures subjected to current and irregular waves. The basis for the models is the drag term in the Morison equation. Different models are formulated for the submerged parts of the structure and the splash zones. At present basic models are formulated for a narrow submerged strip of a vertical cylinder and the splash zone of the same. The loads are quantified in terms of power spectral density functions. To be able to formulate expressions for the power spectra the Morison drag force model is approximated by simple polynomials in the water speed. For the submerged strip an alternative method exists, that uses a series expansion for the force spectrum.


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Naess ◽  
L. J. Ho̸egh Krohn ◽  
A. A. Pisano

A new method for stochastic representation of the hydrodynamic drag forces on offshore structures subjected to irregular waves is described. For the case of zero current, it is shown that it is possible to construct a genuinly quadratic representation of the drag force that reproduces the statistical properties of the standard formulation of the drag force closely, and which has a spectral density that approximates the desired force spectrum reasonably well. The distinct advantage of this representation is that it brings dynamic analysis back into the frequency domain, in a similar manner as achieved for a linearized force representation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Gianluca Zitti ◽  
Nico Novelli ◽  
Maurizio Brocchini

Over the last decades, the aquaculture sector increased significantly and constantly, moving fish-farm plants further from the coast, and exposing them to increasingly high forces due to currents and waves. The performances of cages in currents and waves have been widely studied in literature, by means of laboratory experiments and numerical models, but virtually all the research is focused on the global performances of the system, i.e., on the maximum displacement, the volume reduction or the mooring tension. In this work we propose a numerical model, derived from the net-truss model of Kristiansen and Faltinsen (2012), to study the dynamics of fish farm cages in current and waves. In this model the net is modeled with straight trusses connecting nodes, where the mass of the net is concentrated at the nodes. The deformation of the net is evaluated solving the equation of motion of the nodes, subjected to gravity, buoyancy, lift, and drag forces. With respect to the original model, the elasticity of the net is included. In this work the real size of the net is used for the computation mesh grid, this allowing the numerical model to reproduce the exact dynamics of the cage. The numerical model is used to simulate a cage with fixed rings, based on the concept of mooring the cage to the foundation of no longer functioning offshore structures. The deformations of the system subjected to currents and waves are studied.


Author(s):  
Xin Lu ◽  
Pankaj Kumar ◽  
Anand Bahuguni ◽  
Yanling Wu

The design of offshore structures for extreme/abnormal waves assumes that there is sufficient air gap such that waves will not hit the platform deck. Due to inaccuracies in the predictions of extreme wave crests in addition to settlement or sea-level increases, the required air gap between the crest of the extreme wave and the deck is often inadequate in existing platforms and therefore wave-in-deck loads need to be considered when assessing the integrity of such platforms. The problem of wave-in-deck loading involves very complex physics and demands intensive study. In the Computational Fluid Mechanics (CFD) approach, two critical issues must be addressed, namely the efficient, realistic numerical wave maker and the accurate free surface capturing methodology. Most reported CFD research on wave-in-deck loads consider regular waves only, for instance the Stokes fifth-order waves. They are, however, recognized by designers as approximate approaches since “real world” sea states consist of random irregular waves. In our work, we report a recently developed focused extreme wave maker based on the NewWave theory. This model can better approximate the “real world” conditions, and is more efficient than conventional random wave makers. It is able to efficiently generate targeted waves at a prescribed time and location. The work is implemented and integrated with OpenFOAM, an open source platform that receives more and more attention in a wide range of industrial applications. We will describe the developed numerical method of predicting highly non-linear wave-in-deck loads in the time domain. The model’s capability is firstly demonstrated against 3D model testing experiments on a fixed block with various deck orientations under random waves. A detailed loading analysis is conducted and compared with available numerical and measurement data. It is then applied to an extreme wave loading test on a selected bridge with multiple under-deck girders. The waves are focused extreme irregular waves derived from NewWave theory and JONSWAP spectra.


Author(s):  
Remmelt J. van der Wal ◽  
Gerrit de Boer

Offshore operations in open seas may be seriously affected by the weather. This can lead to a downtime during these operations. The question whether an offshore structure or dredger is able to operate in wind, waves and current is defined as “workability”. In recent decades improvements have been made in the hydrodynamic modelling of offshore structures and dredgers. However, the coupling of these hydrodynamic models with methods to analyse the actual workability for a given offshore operation is less developed. The present paper focuses on techniques to determine the workability (or downtime) in an accurate manner. Two different methods of determining the downtime are described in the paper. The first method is widely used in the industry: prediction of downtime on basis of wave scatter diagrams. The second method is less common but results in a much more reliable downtime estimate: determination of the ‘job duration’ on basis of scenario simulations. The analysis using wave scatter diagrams is simple: the downtime is expressed as a percentage of the time (occurrences) that a certain operation can not be carried out. This method can also be used for a combination of operations however using this approach does not take into account critical events. This can lead to a significant underprediction of the downtime. For the determination of the downtime on basis of scenario simulations long term seastate time records are used. By checking for each subsequent time step which operational mode is applicable and if this mode can be carried out the workability is determined. Past events and weather forecast are taken into account. The two different methods are compared and discussed for a simplified offloading operation from a Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy. The differences between the methods will be presented and recommendations for further applications are given.


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