e-ISSN (O): 2348-4470

Scientific Journal of Impact Factor (SJIF): 5.71

p-ISSN (P): 2348-6406

International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research

Development
Volume 5, Issue 03, March -2018

DESIGN / ANALYSIS PROCEDURES FOR FIXED OFFSHORE PLATFORM

JACKET STRUCTURES
Deepak Khandelwal

Department of Technical Education, Govt. of Rajasthan, India

Lecturer, Govt. R.C. Khaitan Polytechnic college, Jaipur, India.

ABSTRACT- THE KINDS OF TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY BEING APPLIED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION AND
OPERATION OF OFFSHORE STRUCTURES FOR OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION ARE QUITE SOPHISTICATED AND
INCLUDE MANY EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE CONFIGURATIONS AND APPROACHES. API ―RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR
PLANNING, DESIGNING, AND CONSTRUCTING FIXED OFFSHORE PLATFORM CONTAINS ENGINEERING DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND
GOOD PRACTICES THAT HAVE EVOLVED DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF OFFSHORE OIL RESOURCES. OBJECTIVE IS TO DESIGN
AND CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORM WITH HELP OF API FIXED OFFSHORE PLATFORMS - WORKING STRESS DESIGN. THE DATA
USED FOR DESIGNING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS WIND, WAVE AND CURRENT, STRUCTURAL, FATIGUE,
FOUNDATIONS, INSTALLATION ETC. AND OCEAN ENVIRONMENT. FROM THESE DATA EFFECTIVE STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED.

Keywords- Jacket Structure, Static Analysis, Wave Loading, Lift analysis, Load out analysis

I. INTRODUCTION

The most common offshore solution for shallow to medium water depths takes the form of piled-jacket with deck
structures, all built in steel. The size and the weight of the jacket structure depends on the number of facilities to be
provided on the deck (typically referred to as topsides), water depth, environmental loads imposed on the structure. The
number of legs, plan dimensions and brace member configuration are function of topsides area requirement, loading,
water depth and environment. Lift, load out, transportation to offshore location and installation on location. For inplace
conditions the structure is designed to resist combinations of design loads that include self-weight and other operational
loads as well as environmental loads due to wave, current, wind, earthquake etc. The most commonly used code for
designing jacket structures is API-RP2A WSD (Working Stress Design). Other codes include DNV rules and Lloyd’s
rules. Topside structures are typically designed using the AISC-code along with the AWS code for welding.

II. DESIGN FOR INPLACE CONDITION

The first premise in the design of jackets is that the jacket natural period is well separated from the wave periods
normally encountered in the in place condition. This ensures that the structure responds in a statically and not
dynamically to the imposed wave loading. Typically jackets have natural periods in the first mode ranging from 2 to 3
seconds. The wave period is typically between 10 to 16 seconds. In such a case the structure can be analysed for the
forces imposed on it quasi-statically. In case the structure natural frequency approaches the predominant wave frequency
then the analysis must take care of response amplification at the wave period.

Environmental Loads - Environmental loads are those caused by environmental phenomena such as wind, waves,
current, tides, earthquakes, temperature, ice, sea bed movement, and marine growth. The meteorological and
oceanographic conditions (typically referred to as met ocean data) at the jacket platform location are determined by
experienced and expert consultants. An example of this is Glen’s report which is typically used for design of ONGC
platforms.

Wind
Wind forces are exerted upon that portion of the structure that is above the water, as well as on any equipment, deck
houses, and derricks that are located on the platform. The wind speed may be classified as: gusts that average less than
one minute in duration, and sustained wind speeds that average one minute or longer in duration.
Once the wind speed at the desired elevation has been computed the wind force at this elevation may be computed as:
F'     U  Cs  A
 2
 2
where
F = wind force,
ρ= mass density of air, (slug/ft3, 0.0023668 slugs/ft3 for standard temperature and pressure),
u= wind speed (ft/s),
Cs = shape coefficient,
A = area of object (ft2).

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 292

 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Waves
The wave loading of an offshore structure is usually the most important of all environmental
loadings for which the structure must be designed. The forces on the structure are caused by the
motion of the water due to the waves which are generated by the action of the wind on the surface
of the sea.

Wave Theories
Once the appropriate wave theory has been selected the forces on the jacket members can be
computed from Morrison’s equation after accounting for effects like Doppler effect, effect of
current on wave kinematics, wave spreading, current blockage factor, marine growth and
conductor shielding factor etc. Consideration for all the effects mentioned is detailed in API-
RP2A.

Figure-1 Wave theory selection (Reference- API RP-2A)

Wave Forces
Wave loads on submerged jacket members can be computed as a summation of drag loading and inertial loading. The
equation summarizing these forces is called Morrison’s equation.
From API-RP2A Morrison’s equation for wave loading is given below

F'  FD  FI
w 2 w U
F'  CD  A  U  Cm  V
2g g t
Where
F = hydrodynamic force vector per unit length acting normal to the axis of the member, lb/ft (N/m),
FD = drag force vector per unit length acting to the axis of the member in the plane of the member axis and

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 293

 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

U,
lb/ft (N/m),FI = inertia force vector per unit length acting normal to the axis of the member in the plane of
the member axis and αU/αt, lb/ft (N/m),
Cd = drag coefficient,
w = weight density of water, lb/ft3 (N/m3),
g = gravitational acceleration, ft/sec 2 (m/sec2),
A = projected area normal to the cylinder axis per unit length (= D for circular cylinders), ft (m),
V = displaced volume of the cylinder per unit length (= πD2/4 for circular cylinders), ft2 (m2),
D = effective diameter of circular cylindrical member including marine growth, ft (m),
U = component of the velocity vector (due to wave and/or current) of the water normal to the axis of the
member, ft/sec (m/sec),
U| = absolute value of U, ft/sec (m/sec),Cm = inertia coefficient,
δU/δt = component of the local acceleration vector of the water normal to the axis of the member, ft/sec 2
(m/sec2) The values of Cd and Cm depend on the wave theory used, surface roughness and the flow
parameters. According to API-RP2A, CD = 0.65 to 1.05 for smooth and rough conditions respectively and
CM = 1.6 to 1.2 for smooth and rough conditions respectively.
The total wave force on each member is obtained by numerical integration over the length of the
member. The fluid velocities and accelerations at the integration points are found by direct
application of the selected wave theory.

III. DESIGN FOR PRE-SERVICE CONDITIONS

These loads are temporary in nature and arise during fabrication and installation of the jacket,
deck or modules on the deck. Typically, during the fabrication and erection phases of the project,
lifts of various structural components generate lifting forces which are transferred to the structure.
In the installation phase forces are generated during platform loadout, transportation to the site,
launching and upending, as well as during lifts related.

Lifting - Lifting forces generated and consequently imposed on the jacket structure depend on
the weight of the structural component being lifted, the number and location of lifting eyes used
for the lift, the angle between each sling and the vertical axis and the conditions under which the
lift is performed. All members and connections of a lifted component must be designed for the
forces resulting from static equilibrium of the lifted weight and the sling tensions. A typical
offshore lift operation is shown in figure2.

Figure-2 Jacket lift (Reference- Handbook of offshore engineering subrata k chakrabarti)

Load-out - Once the jacket, deck or module has been fabricated it needs to be moved from the yard to the transportation
barge which will then transport it to the offshore location where it is installed. The loadout process leads to the
generation of forces when the jacket is loaded from the fabrication yard onto the barge. Loadout could be carried out
by:(1) Lift (2) Trailer (3) Skidding

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 294

 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Tow of structure
Once the loadout process has been completed the next stage is the transportation to the offshore location on the
transportation barges. These transportation barges are not self-propelled but are towed by means of tug boats. During the
transportation, inertial forces are generated when platform components (jacket, deck) due to the motion of the barge
when it is being towed in the open sea.

Figure 3 Barge motions (Source-internet)

Launching and Upending - Once the jacket has been transported to the offshore location it is sitting on the
transportation barge. The temporary transportation fastening in the form of sea-fasteners and lashings is removed. The
next objective is to launch the jacket into the open sea after which it is straightened and released so that it can sit
vertically on the sea-bed. There are five stages in a launch-upending operation (shown schematically in figure 4):(1)
Jacket slides along the skid beams (2) Jacket rotates on the rocker arms (3) Jacket rotates and slides simultaneously (4)
Jacket detaches completely and comes to its floating equilibrium position (5) Jacket is upended by a combination of
controlled flooding and simultaneous lifting by a derrick barge.

Figure 4: Launching and Upending of Jacket

(Reference- Handbook of offshore engineering subrata k. chakrabarti )

IV Structural modeling

Structural modeling of jacket type structures is done by SACS 5.2 (Structural analysis & computation system). All
members are assumed to connected centre to centre. Appropriate effective lengths have been provided for all members
according to structural arrangement. All members have been assigned members property by defining different member
group in SACS software.

Description of jacket
(1) Jacket type = Tripod type
(2) Number of main columns = 3
(3) Pile type = Ungrouted
(4) Pile connectivity elevation = 7.5

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 295

 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

(5) Mud line elevation = -56.6

(6) Pile Stub elevation = -60.1
(7) Working point elevation =8.5
(8) Other elevations = 6,-6,-22,- 40

Analysis Methodology
The pre-service analysis of the Flare tripod is performed in following manner-
The SACS model of the Tripod has been prepared based on Tripod drawings issued by EIL and it has been analyse to
verify the structural strength of members and joints for Load-out, Lift, and Transportation & during on–bottom condition.
Any member/ joint overstressing are highlighted & appropriate solution for overstressing is also shown. The results of
the analysis for load-out, sea transportation, lift & on-bottom are presented in section 4.0.

Load-out Analysis Criteria

Load-out analysis has been carried out with the following criteria.
The Tripod is proposed to be loaded out using trailers.
The trailers arrangement uses load out girder at Tripod EL (-) 6.00 and (-) 57.2 and hence no intermediate support on
Tripod braces are used.

The horizontal breaking load is applied to all structural members in the direction of the load out calculated as 8% of the
weight of each element.

Transportation Analysis Criteria

Transportation analysis of the Tripod has been carried out for following two cases.
Transportation analysis is carried out as follows: -.
The vertical load from the Tripod is taken by the stubs located at EL (-) 6.00 m and (-) 51.612 m for gravity load
condition (Static case), the effect of inclined sea fastening members in vertical direction is neglected (Gravity load shall
not be taken by sea fastening members). Analyses has been carried out by using Gap module as vertical stub near mud-
mat is only a compression element and cannot take tension as jacket is not welded to this stub. Barge Motion parameters
has been selected based on EIL Engineering Design Basis (Structural). Roll angle of 20 degrees and pitch angle of 12.5
degrees with a period of 10 sec is used. A heave acceleration of ±0.2G is associated with the roll and pitch motions.

Lift Analysis Criteria

Lifting is being carried out using 4 slings 3 slings attached at upending pad-eyes & at 1 by Trunnion on skirt sleeve.
The lift points are proposed at EL (+) 6.5m on upending pad eyes and EL (-) 57.2m on skirt pile sleeve on Row B2.

Load-out Analysis
Load-out analysis has been performed based on criteria described in section 3.3 with all the members as per GFO
drawings. The computer model shows the Tripod together with the load-out girder location and arrangement. The Tripod

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 296

 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

is supported on load-out girders at EL (-) 6.0m and EL (-) 57.2m. The results of the analysis indicate the failure of
members highlighted in Figure 5. The summary of failures and upgrade required is given in Table 1 and 2
Table 1 Summary of failure members during Load-out

Member Group Member Upgrade

Member Size Remarks
Name Name UC Member Size
Member yield
strength is
11-12 Φ356x12.7 thk H4 1.002 Φ356x12.7 thk
changed from 36
ksi to 50 ksi
Table 2 Summary of failure Joints During Load-out
Chord Brace
Joint No Joint UC Remarks
Member Member
26 26-150 26-211 1.263
22 22-149 22-208 1.254
Internal rings are proposed.
18 18-56 18-180 1.085
19 19-55 181-19 1.085

Sea Transportation Analysis

The Tripod is supported on at EL (-) 6.0 m and EL (-) 51.612 m and sea fastening is provided at EL (-) 6.00m, (-) 40.00m
and (-) 51.612m. The summary of failures and upgrade required is given in Table 3
Table 3 Summary of failure Joints during Transportation

Chord Brace
Joint No Joint UC Remarks
Member Member
159 147-159 156-159 2.197 External gusset plate will
158 146-158 158-155 2.164 be provided
156 65-156 156-159 2.037 Internal ring will be
155 66-155 158-155 2.011 provided

Note – There is no member-UC failure for Transportation analysis.

Lift /Upending Analysis

The lifting Sling locations are in EL (+) 6.5m & EL (-) 57.2m. The Lifting/upending analysis is done for 5 cases namely -
Case: 1 - when jacket fully in air in horizontal position
Case: 2 - when jacket 30 Degree rotated from horizontal & partially in water
Case: 3 - when jacket 45 Degree rotated from horizontal & partially in water
Case: 4 - when jacket 60 Degree rotated from horizontal & partially in water
Case: 5 - when jacket 90 Degree rotated from horizontal & partially in water
Out of these 5 cases case-1 is found critical, so results of case-1 & up gradation of case-1 is shown in report with taking
care of Failure of other cases. After analysing with upgraded member sizes for case-1, other cases also come safe for UC-
failure.
Table 4 summary of failure members during Lift
Member Group Member Upgrade Member
Member Size Remarks
Name Name UC Size
6-81 Φ406x15.9 thk H5 2.422 Φ610X28 thk
80-8 Φ406x15.9 thk H5 1.006 Φ610X28 thk
81-82 Φ168X9.5 thk H51 1.420 Φ219X12.7 thk
82-7 Φ406x15.9 thk H5 1.726 Φ610X28 thk
Actual propesed size
was Φ610X20 thk but
cross sectional area of
129-7 Φ610X20 was less
Φ508X28 thk B5 1.021 Φ610X25 thk
than actual member,
Φ508X28 so
Φ610X25 thk is
proposed.
@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 297
 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Figure 5 Tripod -UC Failure members & joints during Lift (By SACS 3D model viewer)

CONCLUSIONS

Lift, Load-out and Transportation analysis has been done on Tripod structure with original members and later Tripod has
also checked with revised member sizes and with revised member sizes no member failure is found. Structural safety has
been checked during different analysis by applying several Load combinations. Structure is checked for member
strength in bending, direct forces and combined stresses. Structural failure has been shown for different analysis in
tabular form and solution of failures has been also shown. For joint failures in Punching some inter ring stiffeners has
suggested. The structure is found more critical during Lift and least critical during Load-out.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I owe most sincere gratitude to my guides Dr. M.K. SHRIMALI (Professor MNIT, Jaipur) and Dr. S.D. BHARTI
(Associate Professor MNIT, Jaipur), who extensively helped in preparing this thesis work with their valuable
suggestions, without their teaching stimulating suggestions and constructive comments, it might not have been possible
for me to come up to this level. Their expert opinion and advice is greatly appreciated and has been a individual source of
knowledge. This study would never have been done without their understanding, encouraging and thought guidance.

REFERENCES

[1] API-RP 2A, “Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing & Constructing Fixed Offshore Platforms (WSD)”,
21st Edition.
[2] AISC, “Manual of Steel Construction” Allowable Stress Design 13th Edition
[3] SACS (Structural Analysis Computer System) Release 5.3
[4] Handbook of offshore engineering subrata k. chakrabarti
[5] Handbook of offshore engineering Angus mather
[6] Octa Engineers (2003), Technical Notes for Structural Design of Offshore Topsides and Jackets
[7] Dynamics of Fixed Marine Structures – Barltrop N.D.P, Adams A. J, 3rd Edn.
[8] NPP2 Jacket Analysis Report – Report 6-21 (Ocean Engineering Group)

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 298

 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 5, Issue 03, March-2018, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

AUTHOR BIBLIOGRAPHY

Deepak Khandelwal is lecturer at Govt. R,C. Khaitan Polytechnic College,

Jaipur, Govt. of Rajasthan. He completed his M Tech. from MNIT, Jaipur. This
work was performed dissertation program as part of academics for the fulfilment
of M. Tech. Structural Engineering at MNIT, Jaipur.

@IJAERD-2018, All rights Reserved 299