Reliability Analysis of Offshore Structures Using OMA Based Fatigue Stresses

Author(s):  
Bruna Nabuco ◽  
Marius Tarpø ◽  
Amina Aïssani ◽  
Rune Brincker

Today, many offshore structures in the North Sea already reached their predicted lifetime. Since it is still required a huge demand of oil, it results in an important need to keep those structures in operation. The great attention concerning the lifetime of offshore platforms has trigged a need for monitoring these structures in order to gain information about their actual state and hence reduce the uncertainty and allow for more optimal decision planning regarding maintenance, repair and future inspection actions. Throughout the lifetime, the performance of the structure can be evaluated by analyzing the deterioration process of the structure. In the offshore environment, one of the most common deterioration mechanisms is the fatigue of structural steel induced by wave loading. The deterioration formulation of a structural system subjected to fatigue is nowadays well known. However, many uncertainties may affect the accuracy of the performance evaluation. It can be mentioned mainly the uncertainties related to the materials, the uncertainty on Miner’s rule and the uncertainty on the SN curve but most importantly is the uncertainty on the stress ranges induced by the wave loading. In this paper, the mainly focus is on the uncertainty observed on the different stresses used to predict the damage. This uncertainty can be reduced by Modal Based Fatigue Monitoring which is a technique based on continuously measuring of the accelerations in few points of the structure with the use of accelerometers known as reliable for long time measurements. An Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) is performed and then a modal filtering of the operating response is considered, so that the modal coordinates of all significant modes are known. Next, the experimental mode shapes are expanded using a Finite Element (FE) model together with the Local Correspondence (LC) principle and the displacements can be estimated in all degrees of freedom of the FE model, allowing the stresses and strains to be obtained from the element equations. It is important to emphasize that even though the accelerations are measured in only a few points of the structure, the stress history can be calculated in any arbitrary point of the structure. The accuracy of the estimated actual stress is analyzed by experimental tests on a scale model where the obtained stresses are compared to strain gauges measurements. After evaluating the fatigue stresses directly from the operational response of the structure, a reliability analysis is performed in order to estimate the reliability of using Modal Based Fatigue Monitoring for long term fatigue studies.

Author(s):  
B. Asgarian ◽  
A. Mohebbinejad ◽  
R. H. Soltani

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.


1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (02) ◽  
pp. 358-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Rose ◽  
M.C. Fuller ◽  
J.B. Nestleroth ◽  
Y.H. Jeong

Abstract The catastrophic collapse of several offshore platforms has spurred the development of nondestructive inspection techniques for offshore structures. Presented here are the concepts of an ultrasonic global inspection technique. Also presented are the results of feasibility studies conducted on 1/19-, and 1/3-scale model K-joint models using this technique for early detection of damage. The technique takes advantage of the geometry of tubular joints to give global ultrasonic coverage of a joint while employing a similarity-coefficient-based algorithm for actual damage detection. The data from the scaled models indicate a correlation between the value of the similarity coefficient and the extent of induced damage. The results are encouraging for further development of the technique for field use. Introduction The integrity of the supporting steel structure of offshore platforms is of universal concern, both to industry and to associated regulatory administrations. Failure of support structures is extremely costly in money and in lives. The U.S. Minerals Management Service, charged with ensuring safe oil and gas operation on the outer continental shelf, has actively supported the research and development of means to ensure the integrity of such offshore structures. As part of these funded activities, Drexel U. has pursued the research and development of a new ultrasonic inspection technique for the early detection of damage to large tubular K-joints. Because of its generic nature, this technique also is applicable to other structural joints often found in tubular casings. The goal is to develop an inspection technique that will successfully monitor the health of an entire joint and that will provide an indication of accumulated damage. Thus, it is desirable to develop a global inspection technique that will monitor a large area of a structure, in preference to a traditional ultrasonic technique that can address itself only to very localized areas of a structure. Therefore, the problem is simply to develop a procedure that will consistently reflect the onset and accumulation of damage, regardless of its location in the joint, using a minimum amount of equipment and inspection time. To ensure global coverage and to ensure the proper design and selection of equipment, it was necessary to study the propagational behavior of sound energy in tubular sections. This was effected in part by studying three scaled models (1/19, 1/10, 1/3) of a K-joint structure. Side-drilled holes were introduced in the 1/19-scale model and saw cuts in the 1/10-scale model. Actual cracks were introduced in the 1/3-scale model. Consideration of the effects of this damage on the propagation of ultrasonic energy, along with other physically constraining factors, led to the development of a suitable inspection technique. As a result of these studies, a microprocessor-based inspection system has been developed (Fig. 1) using a low-frequency through-transmission technique and a damage-detection algorithm based on a similarity-coefficient concept (a statistical correlation). SPEJ P. 358^


Author(s):  
K. Kuntiyawichai ◽  
S. Chucheepsakul ◽  
M. M. K. Lee

The principal aim of this paper is to study the dynamic behaviour of offshore platforms subjected to wave loading. A general review of offshore structure, wave loading and their effects on offshore structures are presented. A brief review on the basics of Wavelet analysis is also mentioned in this study. The techniques for modeling wave loading in finite element analyses are described and discussed in detail. A series of 3D analyses were carried out using the ABAQUS finite element software to study the effects on the dynamic response of the change in support conditions at the seabed. The effects of wave height, wave period and wave velocity on platform behaviour were studied. The results from time history analysis are characterized using Wavelet Analysis in order to obtain the response pattern due to wave loading. These analyses allow the frequency response of the jacket structures to be described in the time domain. These results give a clear view on the response of jacket structure. The important parameters on offshore modeling have also been identified and discussed in this paper. The results presented in this study can be used as a guidance for engineer in order to understand the dynamic behaviour of jacket structures subjected to wave loading.


1994 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Do Son

This paper describes the results of measurements and analysis of the parameters, characterizing technical state of offshore platforms in Vietnam Sea. Based on decreasing in time material characteristics because of corrosion and local destruction assessment on residual life time of platforms is given and variants for its repair are recommended. The results allowed to confirm advantage of proposed technical diagnostic method in comparison with others and have been used for oil and gas platform of Joint Venture "Vietsovpetro" in South Vietnam.


2018 ◽  
Vol 233 ◽  
pp. 00025
Author(s):  
P.V. Polydoropoulou ◽  
K.I. Tserpes ◽  
Sp.G. Pantelakis ◽  
Ch.V. Katsiropoulos

In this work a multi-scale model simulating the effect of the dispersion, the waviness as well as the agglomerations of MWCNTs on the Young’s modulus of a polymer enhanced with 0.4% MWCNTs (v/v) has been developed. Representative Unit Cells (RUCs) have been employed for the determination of the homogenized elastic properties of the MWCNT/polymer. The elastic properties computed by the RUCs were assigned to the Finite Element (FE) model of a tension specimen which was used to predict the Young’s modulus of the enhanced material. Furthermore, a comparison with experimental results obtained by tensile testing according to ASTM 638 has been made. The results show a remarkable decrease of the Young’s modulus for the polymer enhanced with aligned MWCNTs due to the increase of the CNT agglomerations. On the other hand, slight differences on the Young’s modulus have been observed for the material enhanced with randomly-oriented MWCNTs by the increase of the MWCNTs agglomerations, which might be attributed to the low concentration of the MWCNTs into the polymer. Moreover, the increase of the MWCNTs waviness led to a significant decrease of the Young’s modulus of the polymer enhanced with aligned MWCNTs. The experimental results in terms of the Young’s modulus are predicted well by assuming a random dispersion of MWCNTs into the polymer.


Author(s):  
Andrew Cornett

Many deck-on-pile structures are located in shallow water depths at elevations low enough to be inundated by large waves during intense storms or tsunami. Many researchers have studied wave-in-deck loads over the past decade using a variety of theoretical, experimental, and numerical methods. Wave-in-deck loads on various pile supported coastal structures such as jetties, piers, wharves and bridges have been studied by Tirindelli et al. (2003), Cuomo et al. (2007, 2009), Murali et al. (2009), and Meng et al. (2010). All these authors analyzed data from scale model tests to investigate the pressures and loads on beam and deck elements subject to wave impact under various conditions. Wavein- deck loads on fixed offshore structures have been studied by Murray et al. (1997), Finnigan et al. (1997), Bea et al. (1999, 2001), Baarholm et al. (2004, 2009), and Raaij et al. (2007). These authors have studied both simplified and realistic deck structures using a mixture of theoretical analysis and model tests. Other researchers, including Kendon et al. (2010), Schellin et al. (2009), Lande et al. (2011) and Wemmenhove et al. (2011) have demonstrated that various CFD methods can be used to simulate the interaction of extreme waves with both simple and more realistic deck structures, and predict wave-in-deck pressures and loads.


Author(s):  
Dhyanjyoti Deka ◽  
Paul R. Hays ◽  
Kamaldev Raghavan ◽  
Mike Campbell

VIVA is a vortex induced vibration (VIV) analysis software that to date has not been widely used as a design tool in the offshore oil and gas industry. VIVA employs a hydrodynamic database that has been benchmarked and calibrated against test data [1]. It offers relatively few input variables reducing the risk of user induced variability of results [2]. In addition to cross flow current induced standing wave vibration, VIVA has the capability of predicting traveling waves on a subsea riser, or a combination of standing and traveling waves. Riser boundary conditions including fixed, pinned, flex joint or SCR seabed interaction can be modeled using springs and dashpots. VIVA calculates riser natural frequencies and mode shapes and also has the flexibility to import external modal solutions. In this paper, the applicability of VIVA for the design of straked steel catenary risers (SCR) and top tensioned risers (TTR) is explored. The use of linear and rotational springs provided by VIVA to model SCR soil interaction and flex joint articulation is evaluated. Comparisons of the VIV fatigue damage output with internal and external modal solution is presented in this paper. This paper includes validation of the VIVA generated modal solution by comparing the modal frequencies and curvatures against a finite element (FE) model of the risers. Fatigue life is calculated using long term Gulf of Mexico (GoM) currents and is compared against the industry standard software SHEAR7. Three different lift curve selections in SHEAR7 are used for this comparison. The differences in riser response prediction by the two software tools are discussed in detail. The sensitivity of the VIVA predicted riser response to the absence of VIV suppression devices is presented in this paper. The riser VIV response with and without external FE generated modal input is compared and the relative merits of the two modeling approaches are discussed. Finally, the recommended approach for VIVA usage for SCR and TTR design is given.


Complexity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Faisal Alkayem ◽  
Maosen Cao ◽  
Minvydas Ragulskis

Structural damage detection is a well-known engineering inverse problem in which the extracting of damage information from the dynamic responses of the structure is considered a complex problem. Within that area, the damage tracking in 3D structures is evaluated as a more complex and difficult task. Swarm intelligence and evolutionary algorithms (EAs) can be well adapted for solving the problem. For this purpose, a hybrid elitist-guided search combining a multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), Lévy flights (LFs), and the technique for the order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is evolved in this work. Modal characteristics are employed to develop the objective function by considering two subobjectives, namely, modal strain energy (MSTE) and mode shape (MS) subobjectives. The proposed framework is tested using a well-known benchmark model. The overall strong performance of the suggested method is maintained even under noisy conditions and in the case of incomplete mode shapes.


1986 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 667-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Lighthill

This article is aimed at relating a certain substantial body of established material concerning wave loading on offshore structures to fundamental principles of mechanics of solids and of fluids and to important results by G. I. Taylor (1928a,b). The object is to make some key parts within a rather specialised field accessible to the general fluid-mechanics reader.The article is concerned primarily to develop the ideas which validate a separation of hydrodynamic loadings into vortex-flow forces and potential-flow forces; and to clarify, as Taylor (1928b) first did, the major role played by components of the potential-flow forces which are of the second order in the amplitude of ambient velocity fluctuations. Recent methods for calculating these forces have proved increasingly important for modes of motion of structures (such as tension-leg platforms) of very low natural frequency.


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