209

Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket

Stuctures in Mumbai High Field
Dr. S. Nallayarasu1, S. Goswami2, J.S. Manral2 and R.M. Kotresh3
1Corresponding author, Associate Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IITM,
Chennai-36, Tamilnadu, India. nallay@iitm.ac.in.
2Chief Engineer (C&M), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, India
3Deputy General Manager (Civil), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, India

Abstract
Fatigue analysis of offshore structures is an integral part of design of offshore structures
and shall be carried out with suitable method of discretising the seastate. Historically, for
most of the fixed offshore structures, deterministic fatigue analysis found to predict the
fatigue damage reasonably well and has been in use for several decades. Fixed structures
with small topsides, mostly exhibit a static response characteristics and the natural period
may be in the order of less than 2 seconds. Offshore platforms with larger production
capacity and deeper water depths may require specialised treatment of seastate due to
their dynamic characteristics more vulnerable for fatigue damage. A spectral fatigue
analysis has been performed for two different platforms in Mumbai high field (MNP and
RS14) and a comparison is made with deterministic analysis. The spectral fatigue
analysis indicates that the predicted fatigue life is lower than the deterministic analysis
since the dynamic amplification of wave loads are treated approximately in deterministic
analysis. Hence for large structures, it recommended to use spectral methods to assess the
fatigue life of tubular joints.

Keywords: Fatigue analysis, stress concentration factor, spectral methods, dynamic

response, wave response, dynamic amplification factor, fatigue damage.

INTRODUCTION
Historically, Bombay High Field (Mumbai High Field) has several offshore platforms in the shallow
water region of 50 to 80 m water depth. Most of these platforms are fixed template type structures with
either main or skirt piles. Many of these structures are as old as 20 to 30 years have been designed as
per API RP 2A guidelines. These structures mostly produce oil and have both process and well head
platforms. These platforms have been designed against fatigue from cyclic wave loads.
Fatigue analysis of jacket structures is an important part of the design cycle. As most of the jacket
nodes will be governed by the fatigue design. The fatigue life evaluation of the tubular joints is complex
due to the presence of the stress concentration and geometrical effects due to variety of connection
types. Often, one would simplify the design method in order complete the design quickly. The most
critical and important part of the fatigue analysis is to calculate the structural response to cyclic loads
from waves.
Most of the fixed type template structures generally have a natural period less than 3 seconds and
some cases less than 2 seconds. However, large process platforms may have period very close to
3 seconds or even greater than 3 seconds depending on the topsides weight. API RP 2A guidelines
require that the dynamics effects shall be included as part of the fatigue life evaluation if the natural
period is greater than 3 seconds.
All of the existing structures have been designed based on deterministic fatigue analysis. The data
used for the deterministic fatigue analysis is based on wave data information back dated to 1970. In

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210 Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket Stuctures in Mumbai High Field

order to update and utilise the latest developments, initiative has been taken to collect better
information about the seastate in the Mumbai High field. Recent developments in the field require some
of the large process platforms and drilling wellhead platforms. This initiated an internal process to
develop the data required to carry out the spectral fatigue analysis of the structures. ONGC has engaged
NIO, Goa to collect spectral wave data (Ref 3.).

FATIGUE RESPONSE ANALYSIS

The structural response can be calculated in two distinctive ways.
Deterministic method of analysis
Seastate is discretised in discrete waves (deterministic) and the scatter data based sea state specific
information is used. Structural response to these discrete waves is then calculated either with or without
dynamic effects.
Spectral method of analysis
Seastate is characterised by the spectral energy. Further, the scatter data for different directions and
wave heights are used to simulate the seastate. The structural response is then calculated using stochastic
method of structural analysis. Dynamic analysis is performed to generate the dynamic characteristics
such as mode shapes and mass characteristics.

Wave scatter data

The location of Mumbai high field is shown in Figure 1. The field is located on the west coast of India
and the wave approach is from south to north-west directions and the other directions are shield from
land. Hence only wave are approaching the platforms from South, South-West, West and North-West.
The directional distribution of waves used in the deterministic and spectral methods is shown in
Figure 2.
Wave scatter data and exceedance information used for the deterministic fatigue analysis is shown
in Table 1 and 2. The exceedance data has been converted in to occurrence cyclic data with intermediate
data range by interpolation has been summarised in Table 3.

Gujarat

Mumbai High Field

Maharash
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Image Nasa
2008 Europa Technologies
Image2009 DigitalGlobe
2009 Cnes/Spot Image
Google
19°56’03.42" N 72°13’41.28" E Eye alt 476.78 ml

Figure 1. Mumbai high field location

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Dr. S. Nallayarasu, S. Goswami, J.S. Manral and R.M. Kotresh 211

25.12%

NW

26.13%

21.23%

SW 27.52%

Figure 2. Directional distribution of waves

Figure 3. MNP platform (8 Legged)

The data shown above has been used in many platforms designed in ONGC Mumbai high field
during the past. The wave occurrence data is calculated from the wave exceedance data given in
table 3. Further, the representative wave used for the response calculation is given Table 4. The data
summarized above is for one year duration.

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212 Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket Stuctures in Mumbai High Field

Figure 4. RS14 platform (4 Legged)

Table 1. Wave Scatter data for deterministic analysis

Wave height Period (SEC)

(m) S SW W NW
0 – 1.523 8.7 9.6 8.3 6.6
1.524 – 3.047 9.2 10.1 8.7 7.4
3.048 – 4.571 9.5 10.3 9.2 7.9
4.572 – 6.095 9.7 10.4 9.6 8.4
6.096 – 7.619 9.9 10.5 10.0 8.9
7.620 – 9.143 10.6 10.3 –
9.144 – 10.667 10.8 10.6 –
10.668 – 12.192 11.0 10.9 –

Table 2. Wave exceedance data

Number of waves exceedings specified height

Wave height in one year
(m) S SW W NW Cumulative
0 1276045 770535 1015713 1220511 4282804
1.524 61704 219347 220985 69788 571824
3.048 3132 37929 31902 3764 76727
4.572 167 5878 4073 177 10295
6.096 11 869 493 8 1381
7.620 0 126 59 0 185
9.144 – 18 7 – 25
10.668 – 2 1 – 3
12.192 – 0 0 – 0

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Dr. S. Nallayarasu, S. Goswami, J.S. Manral and R.M. Kotresh 213

Table. 3 Wave occurrence data

Wave height Wave direction

(m) W SW S NW
0.381 541944 359421 995444 928660
1.143 252784 191767 218897 222063
1.905 137022 128135 47802 53581
2.667 52061 53283 10770 12443
3.429 20503 22998 2409 2948
4.191 7326 9053 556 639
4.953 2656 3618 124 139
5.715 924 1391 32 30
6.447 322 538 11 8
7.239 112 205 0 0
8.001 39 78 0 0
8.763 13 30 0 0

Table 4. Wave scatter data – South direction (Offshore location)

Hs Mean wave period (s)

(m) 3–4 4–5 5–6 6–7 7–8 8–9 9–10 10–11 Total
0.0 − 0.5 0.38 0.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.15
0.5 − 1.0 0.00 5.00 17.31 18.85 11.54 1.15 0.00 0.00 53.85
1.0 − 1.5 0.00 2.69 10.77 15.00 1.92 2.31 0.00 0.00 32.69
1.5 − 2.0 0.00 0.00 2.31 2.31 2.31 3.85 0.77 0.77 12.31
Total 0.38 8.46 30.38 36.15 15.77 7.31 0.77 0.77 100.00

Table 5. Wave scatter data – South-west direction (Offshore location)

Hs Mean wave period (s)

(m) 3–4 4–5 5–6 6–7 7–8 8–9 9–10 10–11 Total
0.0 − 0.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.5 − 1.0 0.21 2.92 5.22 1.67 0.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.86
1.0 − 1.5 0.00 0.84 11.90 9.81 2.71 0.21 0.00 0.00 25.47
1.5 − 2.0 0.00 0.00 4.59 16.08 9.60 2.09 0.00 0.00 32.36
2.0 − 2.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.97 5.22 2.30 0.00 0.00 11.48
2.5 − 3.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.55 2.51 0.42 0.00 0.00 6.47
3.0 − 3.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.88 2.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.38
3.5 − 4.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.63 3.34 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.97
4.0 − 4.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.42 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.42
4.5 − 5.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.25 0.84 0.00 0.00 2.09
5.0 − 5.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.63 1.67 0.00 0.00 2.30
5.5 − 6.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.21 0.00 0.00 0.21
Total 0.21 3.76 21.71 37.58 29.02 7.72 0.00 0.00 100.00

The wave scatter data for spectral analysis obtained from reference 3 is summrised in Tables 4 to 8
for south, south-west, west and north-west directions respectively. The percentage distribution for each
combination of wave period and height will be used for the spectral representation of the seastate using
JONSWAP spectra as recommended by National Institute of Oceanography, Goa.

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214 Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket Stuctures in Mumbai High Field

Table 6. Wave scatter data – West direction (Offshore location)

Hs Mean wave period (s)

(m) 3–4 4–5 5–6 6–7 7–8 8–9 9–10 10–11 Total
0.0 − 0.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.5 − 1.0 0.28 1.83 1.83 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.94
1.0 − 1.5 0.00 1.69 4.22 0.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.61
1.5 − 2.0 0.00 0.42 9.00 2.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.24
2.0 − 2.5 0.00 0.00 6.05 5.63 0.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.24
2.5 − 3.0 0.00 0.00 2.39 12.80 0.84 0.14 0.00 0.00 16.17
3.0 − 3.5 0.00 0.00 0.14 9.00 3.66 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.80
3.5 − 4.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.52 6.33 0.14 0.00 0.00 9.99
4.0 − 4.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 9.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.99
4.5 − 5.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.61 1.69 0.00 0.00 8.30
5.0 − 5.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.53 3.38 0.00 0.00 5.91
5.5 − 6.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 1.27 0.00 0.00 1.41
6.0 − 6.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.42 0.00 0.00 0.42
Total 0.28 3.94 23.63 34.60 30.52 7.03 0.00 0.00 100.00

Table 7. Wave scatter data – North-west direction (Offshore location)

Hs Mean wave period (s)

(m) 3–4 4–5 5–6 6–7 7–8 8–9 9–10 10–11 Total
0.0 − 0.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.5 − 1.0 4.35 34.78 19.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 58.70
1.0 − 1.5 0.00 17.39 19.57 2.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.17 41.30
Total 4.35 52.17 39.13 2.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.17 100.00

Table 8. RS-14 Well platform Comparison of results of deterministic & spectral fatigue
on selected joints

Fatigue Life Difference

Joint no. Deterministic Spectral (D-S)
203L 74.71 17.84 56.87
217L 31.17 31.79 0
283L 968.58 473.76 494
297L * 627.151 400
201X * * 0
303L 224.9 83.01 142
317L 1039.15 215.84 824
383L * 245.01 750
397L 456.34 187.75 269
301X * * 0
302X 287.44 172.09 115
303X 416.70 241.13 175
303 * * 0
304 * * 0

(Continued)

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Dr. S. Nallayarasu, S. Goswami, J.S. Manral and R.M. Kotresh 215

Table 8. RS-14 Well platform Comparison of results of deterministic & spectral fatigue
on selected joints (Continued )

Fatigue Life Difference

Joint no. Deterministic Spectral (D-S)
305 * * 0
403L 307.89 844.62 –
417L 1287.7 * 0
483L 369.62 90.76 278.86
497L 118.87 32.14 86.73
401X 23.18 5.32 17.86
402X 4.11 0.87 3.24
403X * * 0
404X * * 0
503L 255.38 252.72 2.66
517L 541.82 432.30 109.52
583L 78.56 14.58 63.98
597L 67.82 25.80 42.02
501X 49.13 3.86 45.27
502X 18.42 1.91 16.51
503X * 655.58 345
504X * * 0
603L 145.32 141.13 131.19
617L 273.35 12.08 261.27
683L 160.99 19.34 141.65
697L 28.88 7.21 21.67
601X * 399.95 600
602X * 398.85 600
603X * 23.92 976
604X * 24.27 976
703L 1344.463 6.60 994
717L * 6.055 994
783L * 6.099 994
797L * 5.54 994
* - indicate fatigue life is greater than 1500 years.

SELECTED STRUCTURES
Since all the existing structures have been designed based on the deterministic wave data, it is desirable
to study the effect of the new information so that it can be implemented in new design projects. A case
study of one process platform in Mumbai High North field (MHN) (MNP 8 legged platform jacket with
20,000 Tonnes topsides) and a wellhead platform (RS14 4 legged jacket with a topside weight of 5000
Tonnes) in Mumbai High South field has been carried out. The fatigue life of leg and X brace joints has
been compared.

DETERMINISTIC ANALYSIS
The calculation of cyclic stresses on the tubular joints shall include dynamic amplification. The effects
of dynamic amplification can be ignored when the natural period of the structure is below 3 seconds as
stated in API RP 2 A. This is due to the fact that most of the wave period inducing cyclic loads will be
in range of 4 to 12 seconds.

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216 Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket Stuctures in Mumbai High Field

The dynamic amplification factor (DAF) can be calculated using the following formula assuming a
single degree of freedom system for the fixed type jacket structures.

1
DAF =
 TN2   Tn 2 (1)
1 − 2  +  2ς 
 T   T

where Tn is the natural period of the structure, T is the wave period and ζ is the damping ratio. It can
be shown that the the response and cyclic stress ranges can be linearly multiplied by the DAF and hence
the total response can be calculated without going into the full fledged dynamic response of the
structure against waves. However, the accuracy of the analysis depends highly on the descretisation of
the seastate and any simplification will lead to erroneous estimation of response and fatigue damage.

[ K ]{ X } = {F * DAF} (2)

Where [K] is the stiffness matrix, {X} and {F} are the displacement and force vectors respectively. The
above approach indicates a simplified method and is very easy to implement for practice. This method
has been use for several years for the prediction response of offshore structures.

SPECTRAL ANALYSIS
Alternatively, the response and the cyclic stresses can be calculated using dynamic wave response
including dynamic effects due to the above. This method of calculation involves procedures involving
dynamic characteristics of the structure and performing the analysis in close intervals of frequency/
wave period. However, the method of calculation involved several approximations and the discussion
on these issues is outside the scope of this paper and can be found elsewhere.
Solution to the following equation will lead to Eigen modes and vectors. The dynamic analysis is
performed to obtain the dynamic characteristics such as mode shapes and frequencies.

[ K ]{ X } + [ M ]{ X ′′} = 0 (3)

Where X′′ is the Eigen frequencies and X is the displacements. The mode shapes and frequencies are
then used in the subsequent wave response calculation in which the following equation is solved
including the dynamic response of the system.

[ K ]{ X } + [C ]{ X ′} + [ M ]{ X ′′} = {F} (4)

The response is calculated as a transfer function to facilitate the computation of the fatigue damage
for various waves in different directions. Typical wave response stress transfer function for base shear
and overturning moment is shown in Figure 5 and 6 respectively.
Selection of frequencies for the generation of transfer function is an important task such that the
peaks and valleys of the response is not missed. Following the guidelines given API RP 2A, the
frequencies near the natural period of the structure and its multiples shall be selected. The transfer
function has been generated for various frequencies from 0.1 Hz to 0.5 Hz (Typically from wave periods

International Journal of Ocean and Climate Systems

Dr. S. Nallayarasu, S. Goswami, J.S. Manral and R.M. Kotresh 217

Date 08-Jan-2009 MNP platform dynamic analysis Wave dir. 330.20 deg
transfer function - base shear (KN/M)

3000.0
Transfer function - base shear (KN/M)

2500.0

2000.0

1500.0

1000.0

500.0

0.0
0.0 .10000 .20000 .30000 .40000
Freq. (HZ)

Figure 5. Transfer function for base shear

Date 08-Jan-2009 MNP platform dynamic analysis Wave dir. 330.20 deg
transfer function - overturning moment (KN-M/M)
Transfer function - overturning moment (KN-M/M)

200000.0

150000.0

100000.0

50000.0

0.0
0.0 .10000 .20000 .30000 .40000
Freq. (HZ)

Figure 6. Transfer function for overturning moment

in the range of 2 to 10 seconds). The frequency interval is selected such that near the natural period,
more number of points is generated.
The transfer function and the response are generated for both maximum base shear and maximum
overturning moment cases and the worst case is used for the calculation of fatigue damage.

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218 Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket Stuctures in Mumbai High Field

A wave steepness of 1/20 is used for the all the waves as recommended by API RP 2A for the
calculation of wave height for each frequency. This has been used for the generation of the transfer
function.
It can be observed from Figure 5 and 6 that the maximum values of transfer function occurs near the
frequency of 0.4 which corresponds to a period of 2.5 sec. The natural period of the structures for MNP
and RS14 is noted to be between 2.5 sec and 3 sec.

ESTIMATION OF FATIGUE DAMAGE

Fatigue damage has been calculated for all the tubular connections using Miner’s rule using cumulative
fatigue damage model stated as below.

σ RMS i = ∫ ∞0 H i2 ( f )Sh ( f )df (5)

σ RMS i
Tz = (6)
∫ ∞0 f 2 H 2 ( f )Sh ( f )df

where σ is the RMS (Root mean square value) of the stress calculated from the transfer function for a
given Seastate, H is the transfer function and S is the spectral density of the seastate.

mL
n( s ) = (7)
Tz

where n(s) is the number of applied cycles, L is the design life and Tz is the spectral mean period
calculated above.
Fatigue damage

n( s ) ∞ s s2
D= ∫ exp( 2 i )ds (8)
σ RMS
2 i 0
N (s) σ RMS4

where N(s) is the allowable cycles from the S-N curve and S is the stress range. Stress concentration
factor (SCF) for the tubular joints has been calculated as per Effthimiou formulas as recommended
by API RP 2A for tubular joints and the S-N curve has been adopted as per API RP 2A for
tubular joints.

RESULTS AND DICSCUSSIONS

The fatigue damage computed for two platforms one each in MHS (Mumbai High South) and MHN
(Mumbai High North) field has been presented in Table 8 and 9 respectively. The fatigue life of major
tubular joints along the jacket legs and X braces is presented. Fatigue life greater than 1500 years is
marked as * since it is very high compared to the required design life of 25 years.
The fatigue life predicted by deterministic analysis for both platforms seems to be on a higher side
compared to the spectral fatigue analysis except at few cases where the spectral fatigue results shows
otherwise. This is due to the fact that the Seastate has been condensed to discrete waves and the DAF
has been treated approximately.

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Dr. S. Nallayarasu, S. Goswami, J.S. Manral and R.M. Kotresh 219

Table 9. MNP Process platform Comparison of results of deterministic & spectral

fatigue on selected joints

Fatigue Life
Joint no. Deterministic Spectral Difference
203L 52.41 108.38 56
207L 9.47 34.14 24
213L 9.26 21.43 12
217L 78.80 127.34 49
283L 52.93 129.05 77
287L 11.55 81.14 70
293L 11.14 69.06 58
297L 43.65 88.38 45
204X * * 0
205X * * 0
206X * * 0
207X * * 0
208X * * 0
209X * * 0
210X * * 0
211X * * 0
212X * * 0
213X * * 0
303L 20.89 202.21 182
307L 70.45 508.03 438
313L 69.36 806.51 737
317L 18.49 302.99 284
383L 19.56 267.49 248
387L 197.60 485.68 288
393L 253.92 783.73 530
397L 18.97 358.24 339
304X * * 0
305X * * 0
306X * * 0
307X * * 0
308X * * 0
309X * * 0
310X * * 0
311X * * 0
312X * * 0
313X * * 0
403L 149.07 * 851
407L 20.62 200.44 180
413L 20.46 238.49 218
417L 156.09 72.32 84
483L 185.24 163.23 22
487L 168.31 147.37 21
493L 140.70 132.46 8
(Continued)

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220 Spectral Fatigue Analysis of Jacket Stuctures in Mumbai High Field

Table 9. MNP Process platform Comparison of results of deterministic & spectral

fatigue on selected joints (Continued)

Fatigue Life
Joint no. Deterministic Spectral Difference
497L 135.05 118.97 16
404X * * 0
405X * * 0
406X * * 0
407X * * 0
408X * * 0
409X * * 0
410X * 96.67 903
411X * 513.86 486
412X * 125.03 875
413X 429.95 21.49 409
503L 104.71 0.88 104
507L 24.17 0.06 24
513L 23.69 1.07 22
517L 153.88 0.85 153
583L 301.03 0.87 300
587L 73.39 0.89 72
593L 156.72 1.01 155
597L 181.49 0.69 180
501X * 127.26 873
502X * 136.83 864
503X * 234.38 760
504X * 115.94 884
505X * 108.49 892
506X * 233.61 767
507X * 1.42 999
508X * 1.57 999
509X * 1.42 999
510X * 0.21 999
603L 151.58 0.57 151
607L 99.52 1.18 98
613L 184.74 1.21 183
617L 370.08 0.56 369
683L 206.42 0.70 205
687L 105.74 1.20 104
693L 180.44 1.13 179
697L 399.47 0.60 398

*- indicate fatigue life is greater than 1500 years.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results obtained from the fatigue analysis of platforms in Mumbai High North and South
platforms, following observations are made.
Generally both methods predicts fatigue life reasonably well for most of the joints except for some
joints at the bottom of the jacket, the deterministic method predicts the fatigue life too high. This is due
to the fact that the dynamic response of the structure is over-predicted.

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Dr. S. Nallayarasu, S. Goswami, J.S. Manral and R.M. Kotresh 221

However for the joints near the top of the jacket, the predicted fatigue using deterministic methods
seems to be lower than that by the spectral methods. This is due to the fact that the associated cyclic
stresses are more due to the local wave loads rather than the dynamic response.
It is recommended that spectral fatigue analysis be used for large platforms to assess the fatigue life
since the inaccuracy introduced due to the treatment of dynamic amplification factor.

REFERENCES
API RP 2A Recommended Practice for the Design and Construction of fixed offshore platforms,
working stress design.
Fatigue User Manual, SACS Software, EDI.
Identification of wave spectra for Mumbai offshore region, National Institute of Oceanography,
December 2007.

Volume 1 · Number 3 & 4 · 2010