Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
Offshore Structure Loads and
Strength
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Fixed offshore platforms are unique structures since they extend to the ocean
floor and their main function is to hold industrial equipment that services oil
and gas production and drilling.
Robust design of fixed offshore structures depends on accurate specification
of the applied load and the strength of the construction materials used. Most
loads that laterally affect the platform, such as wind and waves, are variable,
so the location of the platform determines the metocean data.
In general, the loads that act on the platform are:
Gravity loads
●
Wind loads
●
Wave loads
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Current loads
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Earthquake loads
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Installation loads
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Other loads such as impact load from boats
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2.2 GRAVITY LOADS
Gravity loads consist of the dead load and the live (imposed) load.
2.2.1 Dead Load
The dead load is the platform
s own overall weight and, in addition, the weight of
the equipment, such as piping, pumps, compressors, separators, and other
mechanical equipment, used during operation of the platform. The overall weight
of platform structure upper decks (topside) includes the piling, superstructure,
jacket, stiffeners, piping and conductors, corrosion anodes, decking, railing,
grout, and other appurtenances. Sealed tubular members are considered either
buoyant or flooded, whichever produces the maximum stress in the structure
analysis.
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