Transactions on the Built Environment vol 56, 2001 WIT Press, www.witpress.

com, ISSN 1743-3509

Measurements of hydrodynamic loading on a large scale jacket structure under waves and current
A. C. ~ e n d e s ' R. , &hev2, J. A. ~ o l o d z i e j ~
Universidade da Beira Interior, Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics, CovilhSi 6200, Portugal * ~ u l ~ a r iShip a n Hydrodynamics Center, Varna 9000, Bulgaria. 3 Institute of Applied Mechanics, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
I

Abstract
This paper reports on wavetank measurements of hydrodynamic loading on a model of offshore structure in waves and current. The model is a large scale steel structure, 3.2 m high, geometrically similar to a real four-legged jacket platform bottom-standing in the ocean floor. Two series of tests were conducted. The model is firstly mounted on a fixed 3-DOF force balance and tested under regular incident waves. On a second stage the force balance is removed to the top of the structure, which is then suspended from the carriage of the tank. The entire experimental apparatus is advanced in still water and in waves, in order to imitate the wave-current conditions. In both cases measurements of waterparticle kinematics and overall loading acting on the structure have been recorded, for a number of wave heights and periods, and for different values of the speed of towing. The experiment has been repeated incorporating at each step additional members to the structure, here represented by the risers of the platform. Horizontal force and overturning moment have finally been assessed in order to put in evidence the fluid-structure interactions and wavelcurrent blockage effects.

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1 Introduction
A number of problems have arisen in relation with the development of the oil and gas fields in the ocean, where the extremely severe sea states demand that the environmental loading process be well understood, see Vugts [l]. Apart from major hazards, the ocean platforms conceived for offshore operation have so far been able to withstand the severe sea conditions. However, we know that these platforms are sometimes very complex in shape; Faltinsen [2] gives a comprehensive review on different concepts and the corresponding mechanisms that are relevant in calculating the wave forces. Nevertheless, more research on the flow around their structural components has been stimulated to a large extent by challenges of conceiving new offshore units. Their reliability constitutes in fact one of the main goals of design and construction. Chakrabarti [3] focuses on some of the techniques utilized in engineering applications in this field. Pressure for further progress is also generated by the need for periodic re-certification of existing structures. The costs during non-operating periods and those caused by damage and repair of the structure are very high and, therefore, should be kept to a minimum. All these aspects are quite relevant for fixed offshore jackets bottomstanding in the sea floor. Efthymiou & Graham [4] make with this respect an extended analysis of the survival conditions of such tubular structures, in connection with the common practice used in their design. The design of such structures is usually based on studies involving computer modelling and experimental tests, carried out in situ or in wavetank. A number of complete model tests have indeed appeared in the literature since the middle seventies. However, owing to very important scale effects the flow around components of tubular structures, and the resulting loading, cannot be usefully studied in conventional laboratories. Accordingly, emphasis has been placed on carefully designed field experiments, and on the use of large scale facilities. Recent progress has been achieved using both approaches, see Chaplin [5,6]. Chakrabarti [7] has evaluated the contribution of analytical modelling and field studies to the design of offshore structures. In-situ experiments are in fact desirable but expensive. An alternative approach is to make use of large premises. One of the solutions found by the research community has been to make use of the Delta Flume, a very large flume at Delfi Hydraulics in the Netherlands. Chaplin [S] discusses some recent experiments there, where forces had been calculated from decay measurements with a cylinder of 0.75m in diameter oscillated in still water and in current. When interpreted by methods used in conventional design practice, the experimental results available seem to indicate that present techniques are on the whole slightly conservative. The purpose of the present work is to follow a methodology to correctly assess the hydrodynamic loading exerted upon offshore jacket structures due to combined action of waves and current, in order to put in evidence the fluidstructure interactions and wave/current blockage effects. The investigation

Transactions on the Built Environment vol 56, 2001 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3509

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constitutes a part of an European consortium project on design of offshore structures under extreme wave loading.

2 Structural analysis of the physical model

The physical model is a steel tubular tower built at the Varna shipyardISRDD, in Bulgaria. The model was scaled down from a realistic offshore jacket design provided by Atkins Science & Technology at a scale of 1:28. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the model structure. The purpose of this section is to calculate the natural frequencies of the structure, as well as maximal deflections and maximal stresses under prescribed loading conditions.
600 m m

Figure 1: Model of the offshore jacket structure.

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Fluid Structure Interaction

2.1 Model structure The geometrical dimensions of the model structure are as follows. It is composed of 158 structural members welded at 48 junction nodes; the total height of the structure is 3.2m, of which 2.4m is underwater. The base square is 1.2 X 1.2m and the square at the top is 0.6 X 0.6m. The four legs have an external diameter D = 0.057m and 4mm wall thickness, and the bracing members have an external diameter d=0.032m and 2.5mm wall thickness. A group of 11 vertical risers of diameter 0.032m extend from top to bottom, attached by three horizontal plates. The model is painted and has a slightly rough surface. Table 1 shows detailed information related with material properties and cross-section areas used in the calculations. Table 1. Data used in the calculation of deflections, stresses and natural frequencies

Properties
Modulus of elasticity: Poisson ratio: Mass density: Cross-section area: members legs
2.2 Natural frequencies

Steel
E =2.1x10"~a v = 0.3 p = 7 8 5 0 ~ lgm3

A,,,, = 0.2317x10"m2 A,, = 0.666 X 10-' mZ

For calculating the natural frequencies of the structure a preliminary analysis by direct application of the stiffness-matrix method has been made - Kolodziej [9]. In this case the model is treated as a space truss, each node having three degreeof-freedom with the exception of fixed nodes. According with the plan of the experiment the model structure can be fixed at the base or at the top. In this way we will obtain two different sequences of natural frequencies for the same geometry and material properties, each sequence corresponding to a different attachment of the structure. In the calculation of natural frequencies four cases were still considered, giving rise to the following physical situations: 1) the structure vibrates in vacuum and there is no water inside the pipes; 2) the structure vibrates in vacuum but with water inside the pipes; 3) the structure vibrates in water but there is no water inside the pipes; 4) the structure finally vibrates in water and the tubes are also fill of water. In practice for generating the mass matrices we use the same geometrical parameters of Table 1, but with appropriate mass densities which take into account the added mass and the density of water inside the pipes. The "effective mass densities" used in these calculations are given in Table 2.

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Table 2. Values of effective densities in [ ~ ~ of natural frequencies

/ r n l ]

used in calculation

(1) - Vacuum inside and outside the tubes; (2) - Water inside and vacuum outside the tubes; (3) - Vacuum inside and water outside the tubes; (4) - Water inside and outside the tubes. Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3 Situation 4 Members 7850 10320 11320 13790 Legs 7850 10680 11680 14510

Two cases of fastening the model were then considered. In the first one the structure was fixed at the top (nodes 41, 43, 45, and 47). In the second one the structure was fixed at the base (nodes 1, 3, 5, and 7). The values of principal (first) natural frequencies that were obtained are summarised in Tables 3 and 4. Table 3. Values of the first natural frequency in [Hz] for the structure fixed at the top
(1) - Vacuum inside and outside the tubes; (2) - Water inside and vacuum outside the tubes; (3) - Vacuum inside and water outside the tubes; (4) - Water inside and outside the tubes. Situation 2 Situation 1 Situation 3 Situation 4 23.036573 26.634449 22.01 1616 19.847197

Let us point out that a realistic situation with this respect is when the structure vibrates in water, and its elements are equally filled with water. Table 4. Values of the first natural frequency in [Hz] for the structure fixed at the base
(1) Vacuum inside and outside the tubes; (2) - Water inside and vacuum outside the tubes; (3) - Vacuum inside and water outside the tubes; (4) Water inside and outside the tubes. Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3 Situation 4 60.336655 52.153023 49.835350 44.9 18697

2.3 Maximum stresses and displacements In our calculations of maximum displacements and stresses we have again assumed that each node has three degree-of-freedom, i, e, three components of displacement. The method used in the determination of displacements and internal forces for the space truss is once more the stifhess-matrix method. Based upon the results of the hydrodynamic model for standard environmental conditions, the structure has been subsequently loaded in node number 4 by a

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force of components F, = -850.9 N , F , = 0 , F, = 1094 N , and at node number 8 by a force of components F , = 0, F, = 0 , F, = -1094 N . Force F, = 1094 in node 4 and force F, = -1094 in node 8 originate together a couple M = 13 12.4 Nm . The loading forces in other nodes were taken equal to zero. Nodes number 41, 43, 45, and 47 were assumed fixed for calculation purposes when the structure is fixed at the top, which is the most unfavorable situation from the experimental point of view. The values of displacements and stresses obtained are shown in Table 5. Table 5. Maximum displacements (mm) and stresses (MPa) for the structure fixed at the top, under prescribed load conditions Stress 2.8060 Displacement 0.211819

3 Fluid-structure interactions
An extensive experimental programme was undertaken in order to determine the environmental loading on the model structure - see Mendes et al. [10]. To conduct the experiment we have chosen to use a deep-water wavetank (200x16x6.5m) in operation at the Bulgarian Ship Hydrodynamics Center, in Varna. This facility is equipped with a towing carriage of 1.5 tonnes and hydraulic wavemakers suitable to our purposes. 3.1 Experimental apparatus and test conditions Two series of tests were undertaken. The model is firstly mounted on a fixed three degree-of-freedom force balance and tested under regular incident waves. A supporting underwater platform was used to serve as the base for the model at the appropriate elevation. On a second stage the force balance is removed to the top of the structure, which is then suspended fiom the carriage of the tank (Fig. 2); the entire experimental apparatus is in this case advanced in still water and in waves, in order to imitate the wave-current conditions. Measurements were made of the wave profile, the overall loading (horizontal force and overturning moment), water-particle velocities and speed of towing. The test conditions for regular waves cover a range of wavelengths h=2.0 to 10.0m, at model scale, and wave steepness Wh=l/lO to 1/50. Different configurations of risers were considered in successive runs: a) 11 risers present (configuration 1); b) 2 to 5 risers spread over the cross-section (configuration 2); c) 3 to 5 risers concentrated in the mid-section (configuration 3); d) no risers at all (configuration 4). The test conditions were set for three speeds of towing: V,=O.O, 0.3, 0.6 rnlsec. The measuring equipment consisted of a 3-DOF force balance, a perforatedball flow velocity meter (PVM) - Chaplin & Subbiah [l l] - and two wave probes

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that recorded the undisturbed wave passing alongside the model and the distorted wave behind the model. A Pentium PC collected and processed all the data.

Figure 2: Model structure suspended from the carriage of the wavetank. 3.2 Water-particle kinematics Two components of the undisturbed water-particle velocity were measured. Also a complete set of data on the water-particle kinematics and wave motion has been acquired at the close vicinity of the model (see Kishev et al. [12]). The values measured were the wave profile at two points - alongside and behind the model structure - and the water particle velocities at a point 0.6 m below the still water surface and at different locations in the horizontal plane: (a) 0.6 m directly in front of the model (at X = 0.6m, and y = Om); (b) 1.2 m behind the model (at X = -1.2m, and y = 0, 0.3, 0.6,0.9, and 1.2m).
3.3 Hydrodynamic loading

The measured overall loading on the model was separated into components due to the current, a constant drift added by waves and wave-current interactions, and an oscillating contribution due to the waves. The wave drift forces and moment were estimated as the mean readings of the horizontal load records. The measuring uncertainty of the force gauges was estimated to be 1.5% for the horizontal force and 2% for the overturning moment. The forces measured when the model was towed in still water are plotted in Fig. 3, as a finction of the speed of the carriage (reverse current), for configurations 1 (all risers present) and 4 (no risers present). As expected, the current loading is parabolic with respect to the velocity of the flow. Inclusion of 11 additional members, here represented by the vertical risers, can increment the current loading by up to 35% in the range of current speeds up to 0.6dsec. Their

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influence on the drift force is illustrated in Fig. 4. The specific weight of water
( y ), the wave amplitude ( 5 , ) and the width of the model at water line ( t ) were

here taken as reference parameters. In waves and a current there is a net increase in mean values. The blockage effect on wave forces is also clearly shown in Fig. 5, where the horizontal force is represented for configurations 1 and 4, and a current velocity of 0.3dsec. In the presence of waves and a current, the risers represent up to 37.5% of the total wave force, steadily increasing with the wavelength, and 25% to 30% of the wave drift for h=2.0-8.0 m. The influence on drift decays afterwards to insignificant values for longer periods. A similar tendency could be observed on the overturning moment. Fig. 6 exhibits the nonlinear dependence of the drift forces on wave height. For a bottom-fixed structure having all risers on it, tested under incident regular waves of A=4 m and no current, the drift force represents 12% to 32% of the total wave force in horizontal direction, for wave heights ranging from 0.05 to 0.15m. As is shown in Fig. 7, at wave steepnesses less than 1/20 the wave loading remains linear. The presence of all l I riser components is responsible for up to 30% of the total wave drift and for about 25% of the base-shear force in the previous range of wave heights.

4 Discussion and conclusions

This paper reports on extensive experiments with the model of an offshore jacket in waves and current, at a scale 1:28. The total height of the prototype platform is 89.6 m, from which 67.2 m underwater, and the width of the structure at water line is 16.8 m. Horizontal force and overturning moment were assessed in a wide range of wave heights and periods, and current velocities, for different structural configurations. The center of application of the resultant force is located between 1.9 and 2.3 m from the base of the model (53 to 65 m in full scale). The calculated natural frequency of the structure is above 20 Hz in realistic conditions. On the other hand, due to the stiffness of the model very small deformations take place under standard loading conditions. A complete set of data on the water-particle kinematics and wave motion has been acquired at the close vicinity of the model, in order to investigate the fluid-structure interactions. The main contribution to the velocity of the flow arises from the current. Wave distortion behind the model was visible but remained small. A discrete blockage influence on regular waves elevation has been observed. However, at shorter wavelengths significant changes in wave height behind the model may occur, especially in the presence of a current. In frontal position the velocity probe did not feel the presence of the structure and no reverse flow has been traced. Behind the model the wake is well developed in the presence of the current. The oscillatory wave forces and moments increase with wave height and with coupled influence of waves and current. For small amplitude waves the wave loading remains proportional to the square of the wave height. On the other hand, the structure with no risers experiences a steady increment in the

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horizontal wave force due to the current. The load increment appears to increase linearly with the velocity of the current. Depending upon the wave period, pure drag may represent as much as 30% increase in the wave force, for an average wave height of 2.8 m in full scale. At higher current velocities the overall loading is essentially dominated by drag. The maximum drift force in regular waves occurs for wavelengths of about 6.6 times the width of the structure at waterline. A substantial contribution is also added to the drift force in the presence of a current. A similar tendency could be observed on the overturning moment. The contribution of the drift force to the total horizontal force is significant. Increasing the complexity of the structure brings an additional contribution to the total drift force and to the base shear. However, for long periods its influence on drift decays to insignificant values.

Acknowledgements
The results here presented summarise part of the research carried out on the joint research project ERB CIPA CT-940150 "Design of Adaptive Offshore Structures Under Extreme Wave Loading", funded by the European Commission (1995-98). This Project was coordinated by Universidade da Beira Interior (Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Hydrodynamics) within the framework of the COPERNICUS initiative. The authors wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution of all individual collaborators of the consortium, and in particular the collaboration received from BSHC.

References
[ l ] Vugts, J. A review of hydrodynamic loads on offshore structures and their formulation. Proc.. of the Int. Con$ on the Behaviour of Offshore Structures: London, 1979. [2] Faltinsen, O.M. Sea Loads on Ships and Offshore Structures, Cambridge University Press: New York, 1990. [3] Chakrabarti, S.K. Offshore Structure Modeling, World Scientific: New Jersey, 1994. [4] Efthymiou, M. & Graham, C.G. Environmental loading on fixed offshore platforms. Environmental Forces on Offshore Platforms and their Prediction, Kluwer Academic Publishers: London, Vol. 26, pp.293-320, 1990. [5] Chaplin, J.R. Loading on a horizontal cylinder in irregular waves at large scale. Int. J. Offshore and Polar Engng., 1(4), pp.247-254, 1991. [6] Chaplin, J.R. Hydrodynamic damping of cylinders in still water, in currents and in oscillatory flow, Proc. of the Int. Workshop on Environmental Loading on Offshore Structures, Universidade da Beira Interior: Covilhl, Portugal, pp.6-15, 1997. [7] Chakrabarti, S. Inpact of analytical, model and field studies on the design of offshore structures, Proc. of the Int. Symp, on OESH: Gothenburg, 1980.

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[8] Chaplin, J.R. Hydrodynamic damping of a cylinder at p=106, Proc. of the TMRIALF End-of-Programme Workshop: Delfi, 1999. [9] Kolodziej, J.A. Calculation of forces and moments acting on offshore structures subjected to wave loading, Progress report on Project ERB CIPA CT940150, Institute of Applied Mechanics, Technical University of Poman, Poland, 1995. [l01 Mendes, A.C., Kishev, R., Chaplin, J.R. & Tomchev, S. Experimental determination of the hydrodynamic loading on a model of offshore platform in waves and current, Proc. of the 10lhInt. Offshore and Polar Engineering Conj, ISOPE: Seattle, vol. I, pp.196-203,2000. [ l l ] Chaplin, J.R. & Subbiah, K. Velocity measurements in multi-directional waves using a perforated ball velocity meter, Applied Ocean Research, 16, pp.223-234, 1994. [l21 Kishev, R., Radev, D., Rakitin, V., Mendes, A. & Chaplin, J. Model investigation on wave kinematics in vicinity of a jacket structure, Rep. of the 22nd ITTC Loads and Response Committee: Seoul-Shanghai, 1999.

JACKET PLATFORM

STILL WATER TOWING

Figure 3 : Current drag force

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JACKET PLATFORM TOWING BY THE TOP IN REGULAR WAVES

Confi "ration 4

j A

8
02 j
A

......... iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii i ......ii i

f
i
A

iiiiiiiii.8 .................................... ..........................................

*
6

63
A

0.00

h Iml

l2

Figure 4: Wave drift force

I
FX

JACKET PLATFORM

TOWING BY THE TOP IN REGULAR WAVES

VC = 0.3 m/s
@

1A

Configuration 4
@

0.2, -

@
A

4
i
I

0.00 0

h [m1

'2

Figure 5: Horizontal force at waves and current

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Fluid Structure Interaction

F--VC = 0 m/s

--

JACKET PLATFORM
BOTTOM FIXED IN REGULAR WAVES

IN1 .......................................... 4.......................................... 4.......................................... 4 50 ; -B/--

25 ....................

2 .........................

i
i8Zf.i:

/---

.....

a ........................................
0,03

- -p-*---. __.------< i
/--:

/ . & S -

0 ' 0 00

0.01

0.02

k:[m21

0.04

Figure 6 : Variation of wave drift with squared wave amplitude

JACKET PLATFORM
BOTTOM-FIXED IN REGULAR WAVES

0.00

0.05

0.10

OI5

kaIm1

0.20

Figure 7: Variation of wave force with wave amplitude