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fabrication
weighing
load out
sea transport
offshore installation especially deckmating
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6. module installation
7. hook-up
8. commissioning.
A brief discussion on inspection and repair and on platform removal concludes this lecture.
1. INTRODUCTION
This lecture deals with the structural design of jacket-based offshore deck structures, following the
introduction in Lecture 15A.10.
Heavy decks, over 10.000 tons, are provided with a module support frame onto which a number of
modules are placed, see Lecture 15A.1, Figs. 4 and 5. Smaller decks, such as those located in the
southern North Sea, are nowadays installed complete with all equipment in one lift to minimize offshore
hook-up. Most of this lecture refers to this type of integrated deck as described in Lecture 15A.10.
The selection of the concept for the structural deck is made in close cooperation with the other
disciplines.
For the design of the deck structure, the in-place condition has to be considered, together with the
various previous stages such as fabrication, load-out, transport and installation.
A structural system for a deck structure comprises several of the following elements:
Floors (steel plate or grating)
Deck stringer (H beams, bulbs or troughs)
Horizontal bracing
Deck beams
}
} Discussed in
} Lecture 15A.10
}
Primary girders
Vertical trusses or bracing
Deck legs
}
} Discussed in
} this lecture
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Haunching of the transverse main girder , which is more lightly loaded-in-plane, however is not an
option as these girders become highly loaded during transport.
The severe restraint of welding a tubular in a diaphragm requires the selection of TTP steel for the
column section.
Due to the high importance of the diaphragm plates in the overall integrity of the structure and the
welding constraints on the web plates in between, TTP-steel is chosen also for the diaphragm.
Another option is to weld the girders directly onto the unstiffened can section of the column. The
assessment of ultimate resistance as well as fatigue strength has been the subject of recent research (see
Lecture 15A.12).
Further improvement of the theoretical and experimental background is required. For lighter loaded truss
structures, this non-stiffened type of joint has been used successfully.
A third solution is to weld the girders directly to the can section of the column, which is internally
stiffened by rings. Its most severe disadvantage is the difficulty of inspecting the column interior.
The disadvantage of both direct girder-column joints is that the girder sizing is governed by the very
high moments at the column/beam transition point.
Cast steel nodes form an alternative to the welded designs.
Member selection for portal frame structures with increasing section moduli usually includes:
The plate girder of course provides the greatest flexibility for design, material selection and
procurement, though its cost per tonne is approximately twice that of a rolled beam.
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Figure 2 shows different arrangements of braces (basically N or W-type) obtained by variation of the
number of nodes. It should be kept in mind that all diagonals and verticals form obstructions for piping
and cable routings of all kinds.
For the transverse trusses, transparency is even more important, especially near the well area. The
number of members required should therefore be reduced to a minimum.
Providing a W-truss with light verticals should be evaluated against choosing a heavier chord section.
If a joint, e.g. at the top deck, is subject to severe moments due to lifting, ventstack, or crane pedestal for
example, much of the bracing stress would result from unintended bending. Generally the deck leg
restraint creates a similar problem in the lower deck. An evaluation should yield a preferred location
therefore for the node of the end brace.
The truss deflects under its vertical load which leads to restraint of the chord in the column and to
bending of the chord. Both effects can quite severely effect the efficiency. The chord section should be
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the capability of the walls to comply with the deformation of the main structure during load-out,
sea transport, lifting and in-service.
the strength of welds to the main structure being stronger than the plate to avoid rupture and
potential crack initiation of the main structure.
One solution is to provide a flexible detail, see Figure 3b and 3c, with stiffeners falling short.
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The functions of the main structure with respect to the crane pedestal are:
Bending restraint by deck beams and/or main structure girders is not required and should be reduced
where possible. Torsion caused by slewing of the crane should preferably be resisted by the floor plate,
the stiffest element.
It has become practice to include the tapered top section of the pedestal in the supply package of the
crane. The top section contains the large flange for the slewing bearing.
Fatigue due to crane operations is a design criterion and requires careful detailing of the pedestal and the
adjoining structure.
0,66 Fy
0,60 Fy
90
138
18
27
Instead of the above approach, more recent research, [3] and [6], allows use of the post-buckling
strength. The depth/thickness limits given above do not then apply.
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the ring stiffened joint between rolled beams or plate girders with a circular column.
the non-stiffened joint between rolled beams or plate girders with a circular column.
the tubular brace joint to single web beams.
the non-overlapped tubular joint.
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There are two types of lifting points, trunnions and padeye, Figure 6.
Trunnions, though favourable from other points of view, see Section 4, can generate considerable offset
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of the sling force with respect to the topdeck system points. Significant bending is generated which is
transferred to the topdeck girders to the extent that they contribute to joint stiffness. It is most efficient
to leave these bending moments in the column, by providing stiff columns.
Padeyes generally provide a good opportunity to minimize or eliminate offset, as far as they can be
situated on top of the column. The requirement of recessed padeyes (recessed padeyes are those which
are positioned between the top and bottom flange elevation) or the presence of other structures on the
top deck can lead to very eccentric positioning and resulting heavy moments. For this reason the lifting
concept must be developed in the concept phase of the structural development.
API-RP2A [1] requires larger load factors to be used for members direct-loaded by padeyes or
trunnions.
There are several ways to model the plate. The most direct is to choose a computer-program which
allows selection of plate elements. A second option is to define representative members which model the
plate stiffness by diagonals.
The deck plate is often positioned in the model at the elevation of the centre line, i.e. the mid height of
the main structure girders, in order to save nodes in the model. It should however be recognised that this
"error" of elevation, amounting to 0,5 - 1m, can affect the results. A separate evaluation should then be
performed on the effect to this deliberate "error" at least at some critical points.
4. CONSTRUCTION
4.1 Introduction
In Lecture 15A.1 the principal aspects of construction of offshore structures and their major equipment
was introduced.
For topsides more specific aspects are discussed below.
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4.2 Fabrication
4.2.1 Operations
The design should allow efficient prefabrication of major sections. Prefabrication will avoid congestion
in one working area and it speeds up the whole construction process.
Prefabrication and assembly shall properly incorporate the aspects of installation of major and smaller
mechanical equipment, as well as outfitting with piping, electrical and instrument cables and lines. It
should be recognized that major mechanical and electrical equipment is often not available at the start of
assembly and must be brought in during fabrication.
4.2.2 Design aspects
Since the overhead space is well covered by extensive piping routes as well as cable trays during
construction, "late" structural work should preferably not be positioned overhead in that underfloor area.
Fabrication of offshore steel structures is principally assembly by welding.
The prefabrication concept and joint detailing should maximize welding productivity with many
horizontal welds preferably made using SMAW technology.
Support to the topside during construction should be well controlled to avoid settlement and to keep
within construction tolerances.
Special consideration should be given to the selection of materials suitable for the fabrication. Where
thick-walled elements are involved requiring Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT), the design should
position such welding and the PWHT in the prefabrication phase.
moving the topside from the fabrication hall to the nearby quay.
moving the topside from the quay onto the barge.
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The short journey on land can be complicated when the track is not flat or curves have to be taken.
The most preferred option for load out is therefore to use a platform trailer with individual suspended
wheels, see Figure 7 and Slide 1.
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the bottom flange plates of the transverse beams should all be in one plane.
the distance of transverse beams should not exceed approximately 7 m.
the lower deck should be able to take an upward reaction typically in the range of 50-60 kN/m2 of
ground area.
A uniform distribution of loads is assumed for platform trailers. Skid systems which are not provided
with a proper load sharing system will lead to a non-uniform load distribution.
Design for load-out requires coordination with sea fastening design.
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identification of critical clearances, e.g. (harbour depth, width of bridges or locks, etc inshore)
barge selection (a.o. stability, dynamic behaviour, location of bulkends).
evaluation of sea route (weather, length of tow).
assessment of barge motions in sea state.
development of a sea fastening concept.
assessment of deck/module integrity.
assessment of barge integrity.
There is also the option with some crane vessels to transport the top side on board. Usually an extra take
over is required as the draft of the crane vessel exceeds the depth at the fabricator's quay. The advantage
however is that sea fastening requires less effort. Furthermore, the offshore operation is simpler and
quicker, as the most critical and weather sensitive operation - lift off the barge- is avoided.
4.5.2 Design aspects of sea transport and sea fastening
Several elements of the structure are dominated by the load condition during transport, see Lecture
15A.1.
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All equipment in or on the topside is also subject to heavy loads, e.g. control panels, generator skids,
platform crane, during transport.
Internal bracing of a topside for transport is not favoured since it creates obstacles and risk of damage or
fire to cables, instruments, piping and equipment during subsequent removal. External bracing is also
not without problems. The width of the topside requires an extra wide barge. It is difficult to find
"strong" points on the topside exterior. The basic concept is therefore to fix the topside to the barge by
its columns only.
The designer should be aware that the bending stiffness of the topside often exceeds that of the barge.
Considerable "composite" action can result when the barge deflects in heavy head-on seas.
It is very important for any sea fastening concept to consider aspects of de-seafastening, i.e. cutting free,
prior to lift off, and the need to remain safe in a moderate sea state.
De-seafastening should not require any handling by cranes. Braces cut loose at one end should therefore
remain stable and safe while fixed at one end only.
Design of the sea fastening should not require any welding in the column joint, since the topside would
not then be ready for immediate set down onto the jacket.
When the tow is more than one or two days long, fatigue may have to be considered on critical nodes.
4.6 Installation
4.6.1 Operations
Installation on the substructure can be:
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Crane vessels were listed in Lecture 15A.1. Slings are available up to over 400mm nominal diameter
with safe working loads of 20-25 MN.
A basic element in all elevations is the inevitable tolerance in sling length which leads to an unequal
distribution of sling forces (typically 25%-75%) in a four sling lift. The unequal sling forces lead to
significant stresses in the module (see Figure 8).
The use of spreader bars leads to a fully balanced lift without distorting the module. However the
spreader bar is quite expensive and usually leads to a requirement for a higher hook elevation.
The use of a spreader frame should only be considered in exceptional cases and does not prevent module
distortion. The padeye/shackle option is limited by the safe working load (maximum 10MN) of the
biggest shackle. The trunnion can accommodate higher loads.
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4.7 Hook up
Hook up is the completion of all joints and connections after installation.
For economic reasons, the overall construction strategy should keep hook up work to a minimum.
Critical hook up work is the work required immediately to secure the object in order to survive the next
storm.
4.8 Commissioning
Commissioning is not relevant to the structural design.
4.10 Removal
Removal requirements are different from country to country. In some depths of water full removal is
required in some countries from the mudline upward. Elsewhere only the structure 75 m or more above
the mudline must be removed.
Extensive engineering of removal is required to achieve a safe and effective operation. In the Gulf of
Mexico removed structures are dumped in the form of reefs. It is very difficult and inefficient at present
to include conceptual removal engineering in the design phase. When re-use of the facility is planned,
then removal engineering should be developed early in the design.
5. CONCLUDING SUMMARY
Structural systems for each type of topside structure were introduced, i.e. truss, portal, box girder,
and stressed skin systems.
In the section on design some topics were addressed in more detail.
In the section on construction the different phases were presented in more detail, i.e.
i. fabrication
ii. weighing
iii. load out
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A brief discussion on inspection and repair and on platform removal concluded the lecture.
6. REFERENCES
[1] API-RP2A: Recommended practice for planning, designing and constructing fixed platforms.
American Petroleum Institute, 18th ed., 1989.
The structural offshore code, governs the majority of platforms.
[2] AISC: Allowable stress design manual (ASD).
9th ed., American Institute of Steel Construction, 1989.
Widely used structural code for topsides.
[3] API-Bulletin 2V: Bulletin on design of flat plate structures.
American Petroleum Institute, 1st ed., 1987.
Valuable specialist addendum to API-RP2A.
[4] API-Bulletin 2U: Bulletin on stability design of cylindrical shells.
American Petroleum Institute, 1st ed., 1987.
Valuable specialist addendum to API-RP2A.
[5] D.v.d. Zee & A.G.J. Berkelder: Placid K12BP biggest Dutch production platform.
IRO Journal, nr. 38, 1987, pp 3-9.
Presents a recent example for a portal framed topside.
[6] R. Narayanan: Plated structures/Stability and Strength.
Applied Science Publishers, London, 1983.
Good designers guide to plated structures design.
[7] ANON: Gullfaks C platform deckmating.
Ocean Industry, April 1989, pp 24.
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