1.

The action of the offshore environment on the structures

Generally speaking, it is about the action of the swell, marine currents and
wind.
The swell represents an extremely complex phenomenon, with a random
nature. The models used nowadays refer to the regulated swell, define by the
propagation direction, amplitude and duration and unregulated swell
(monodirectional or multidirectional), defined by its energy spectrum. The action
of the swell on the structures is mostly a dynamic one. The way of representing the
swell depends on the structure type and the study stage of the project: the regulated
swell in the predimesioning stage and the unregulated swell in the final
dimensioning stage.
The currents are usually constant in time, but they vary (as far as the
direction and speed are concerned) in accordance with the water depth. We refer to
tidal wave currents, wind currents and permanent currents (upwelling currents,
oceanic currents e.s.o.).
The wind is also of a random nature in time, but it has a permanent
component. Its speed is affected by the effects of “friction” on the air-water
interface, so it varies with the altitude.
The force resulted from wind will be calculated according to API, ABS and
DNV standards.

a. According to API (American Petroleum Institute)

In order to calculate the forces resulted from wind`s action that act on
offshore structures, API BP 2a recommends the relation:

F v=0 ,00256 v 2 c s Al , (1.1)

where: Fv is the force resulted from the wind action, lbf;

v- wind speed, m/h;
cs- form coefficient;
Al – longitudinal surface area, ft2.

Transposed in the international system unit, relation (1.1) becomes:

2
F v=0 ,61 v c s A l , (1.2)

where Fv is expressed in N, v - m/s and Al - m2.

 API recommends the following values for the form coefficients cs:
- grillage: 1,5;
- vertical walls: 1,5;
- cylindrical sections: 0,5;
- platform assembly: 1.

b. According to ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)

American Bureau of Shipping recommends the relation:

F v=0,623 v 2 c h c s A l , (1.3)

where ch is a coefficient that takes into account the distance of the point considered
in accordance with the water level (table 1.1), and c s – form coefficient (table
1.2).

Table 1.1. Values of ch coefficient

Distance towards sea ch

level (m)
0-15 1,00
15-30 1,10
30-46 1,20
46-61 1,30
61-76 1,37
76-91 1,43

Table 1.2. Values of c s coefficient

Surface form cs
Cylinder 0,5
Flat wall - module 1,0
Isolated flat wall 1,5
Derrick 1,25
Platform 1,0

c. According to DNV (Det Norske Veritas)

Det Norske Veritas recommends the relation:
 ρ 2
F v= v c ``s Al sin α
2 , (1.4)
3
where: ρ represents the air density (ρ = 1,225 kg/m , for dry air);
``
cs – form coefficient;
α – attack angle of the wind in accordance with the axe of the structure.
In this case, the form coefficient:
``
c s =k c , (1.5)

where:
k is a reduction factor;
c’ – form coefficient for a membrane of infinite length.

Application 1.1.
Taking into account the fact that the maximum wind speed concerning the
Black Sea is vmax = 164 km/h, the static action of the wind on the vertical casing of
30 in diameter and H = 50 m, has to be calculated. It is also known: cs = c s = 0,5;
π
``
c s = 0,43; c = 1,3; α = 2 . Solution.
h
Note. The values obtained by using the three methods above are almost
similar. Taking into account the initial different calculation hypotheses, a
comparison between the three methods would not be justified.

The action of the offshore environment on a structure is associated with fluid

flow (air or water) next to the structure. There are two types of excitations: static
(independent of time) and dynamic. In the figure 1.1 are represented the main types
of forces that act upon a platform [1].
 Fig. 1.1. The charges acting upon the platform

The predimensioning calculation of an offshore platform are generally quite

complex. They mainly aim at:
- establishing the compression efforts, bending, bending and compression
a.o., resulted from the action of the swell, wind, marine currents, respectively the
weight of the platform and its annexes;
- determining the external diameters and the wall thickness of the casing
(piles, grillage a.o.);
- resistance calculations and checking the jackets elements within the
transport, assembling and cathodic protection operations etc.;
- studying the resonance phenomenon;
- calculating extraordinary forces (earthquakes) etc.
For the platforms placed in medium water, the rapid predimensioning rules
(approximate as well) of a beam with grillage in a jacket are the following [2]:
1. The real length is calculated and a reduction coefficient of 0,8 is applied.
 2. The value of the beam diameter is chosen on condition that the value of
the slenderness coefficient is between 70 and 90.
3. In accordance with the found diameter, the thickness of the wall t is
calculated out of the D : t ratio ranges from 20 and 90, and:
- if D < 0,457 m, the "AISC" catalogue is used;
- if 0,457 m < D < 0,686 m, then t = 12,7 mm;
- if 0,686 m < D < 0,914 m, then t = 15,8 mm.
4. In order to avoid issues connected with hydrostatic pressure, the following
relation has to be checked:

D 169
<
t 3√ h , (1.6)

where h represents the depth ratio of plunging of the respective element and it is
measured in meters.

Application 1.2. The predimensioning calculation of beam x has to be done

(fig. 1.2).

Solution
1. The real length. According to figure 1.2, 1 = 19,5 - 2  1,72 = 16,06 m (k =
0,8).

Fig. 1.2. Predimensioning of beam x

 2. Calculating the external diameter D. The following has to be taken into
account: in between the gyration radius r and the diameter D, the following
relation has to be noticed:

r = 0,35 D, (1.7)

and according to relation of slenderness coefficient, for λ = 70,

kl
= =70
 0, 35D ,

where
0,8 ⋅16,06
D= =0 , 524
0,35⋅70 m = 524 mm.

Then D = 508 mm (20 in).

3. Wall thickness t. As 0,457 m < D < 0,686 m, t = 12,7 mm is considered,

and D: t = 508: 12,7 = 40, that is 20 < D/t <90.

4. Checking. For h = 20 m

170 170
3
= =62 , 26>40
√h √3 20 .