Application of GNSS-PPP on Dynamic Deformation Monitoring of Offshore Platforms

The real-time dynamic deformation monitoring of offshore platforms under environmental excitation is crucial to their safe operation.Although Global Navigation Satellite System-Precise Point Positioning(GNSS-PPP)has been considered for this purpose,its monitoring accuracy is relatively low.Moreover,the influence of background noise on the dynamic monitoring accuracy of GNSS-PPP remains unclear.Hence,it is imperative to further validate the feasibility of GNSS-PPP for deformation monitoring of offshore platforms.To address these concerns,vibration table tests with different amplitudes and frequencies are conducted.The results demonstrate that GNSS-PPP can effectively monitor horizontal vibration displacement as low as±30 mm,which is consistent with GNSS-RTK.Furthermore,the spectral characteristic of background noise in GNSS-PPP is similar to that of GNSS-RTK(Real Time Kinematic).Building on this observation,an improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise(CEEMDAN)has been proposed to de-noise the data and enhance the dynamic monitoring accuracy of GNSS-PPP.Field monitoring application research is also undertaken,successfully extracting and analyzing the dynamic deformation of an offshore platform structure under environmental excitation using GNSS-PPP monitoring in conjunction with improved CEEMDAN de-noising.By comparing the de-noised dynamic deformation trajectories of the offshore platform during different periods,it is observed that the platform exhibits reversible alternating vibration responses under environmental excitation,with more pronounced displacement deformation in the direction of load action.The research results confirm the feasibility and potential of GNSS-PPP for dynamic deformation monitoring of offshore platforms.

Fuzzy Optimum Model of Semi-Structural Decision for Lectotype Optimization of Offshore Platforms

In the process of concept design of offshore platforms, it is necessary to select the best from feasible alternatives through comparison and filter. The criterion set, used to evaluate and select the satisfying alternative, consists of many qualitative and quantitative factors. Therefore, the selection is a problem of multicriteria and semi-structural decision-making. Different from traditional methods in semi-structural decision-making, a new framework and methodology is presented in this paper for evaluation of offshore platform alternatives, First, the criterion set is established for the evaluation of alternatives. Next, the approach is studied to construct the relative membership degree matrix, in which both qualitative and quantitative factors are consistent with the uniform calculating standard. And then a new weight-assessing method is developed for calculation of the weights based on the relative membership degree matrix. Finally, a multi-hierarchy fuzzy optimum model is adopted to select the satisfying offshore platform alternative. A case study shows that the new framework and methodology are scientific, reasonable and easy to use in practice.

Optimal Active Control of Wave-Induced Vibration for Offshore Platforms

An obvious motivation of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the lateral vibration control of a jacket type offshore platform with an AMD control device, in conjunction with H-2 control algorithm, which is an optimal frequency domain control method based on minimization of H-2 norm of the system transfer function In this study, the offshore platform is modeled numerically by use of the finite element method, instead of a lumped mass model This structural model is later simplified to be single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system by extracting the first vibration mode of the structure. The corresponding 'generalized' wave force is determined based on an analytical approximation of the first mode shape function, the physical wave loading being calculated from the linearized Morison equation. This approach facilitates the filter design for the generalized force. Furthermore, the present paper also intends to make numerical comparison between H-2 active control and the corresponding passive control using a TMD with the same device parameters.

Semi-Active Control of Wave-Induced Vibration for Offshore Platforms by Use of MR Damper

The objective of the present research is to examine the effectiveness of the lateral vibration control of wave-excited response of offshore platforms with magneto-rheological (MR) damper. In this study, the offshore platform is simplified to be a singled degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system by extracting the first vibration mode of the structure. The external 'generalized' wave force is determined with a white noise via a designed filter. A semi-active control method based on optimal control theory is proposed considering that the yield stress of the MR damper can he varied continuously within a certain range. The dynamics of SDOF structure coupled with the MR damper is investigated. Numerical simulation demonstrates that the MR damper with this control strategy can significantly reduce the maximum responses and the root-mean-square (RMS) values.

Calibration of LRFD Format for Steel Jacket Offshore Platforms in China Offshore Area(1) :Statistical Parameters of Loads and Resistances

The statistical characteristics and parameters of loads and resistances are systematically studied for the development of probabilistic limit state design method for steel jacket offshore platforms in the China offshore area. The mean value, standard variance and distribution pattern of resistances and loads in different base perieds are presented. The statistical parameters of structural member resistance, self-weight, deck live load, and environmental loads such as wind, wave, current and ice, which are drawn on a large amount of observatian data of offshore environmental factors, and the design data of platforms in China Bohai Sea form the data set, providing a necessary basis for the calibration of load and resistance factors to realize the reliability-based design of jacket platform structures.

Damage Localization of Offshore Platforms Under Ambient Excitation

In this paper Nondestructive Damage Detection (NDD) for offshore platforms is investigated under operational conditions. As is known, there is no easy way to measure ambient excitation, so damage detection methods based on ambient excitation have become very vital for the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of offshore platforms. The modal parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes) are identified from structural response data with the Natural Excitation Technique (NExT) in conjunction with the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) . A new method of damage detection is presented, which utilizes the invariance property of element modal strain energy. This method is to assign element modal strain energy to two parts, and defines two damage detection indicators. One is compression modal strain energy change ratio (CMSECR); the other is flexural modal strain energy change ratio (FMSECR). The present modal strain energy is obtained by incomplete modal shape and structural stiffness matr

Modal Identification of Offshore Platforms Using Statistical Method Based on ERA

Identification of modal parameters of a linear structure with output-only measurements has received much attention over the past decades. In the paper, the Natural Excitation Technique (NExT) is used for acquisition of the impulse signals from the structural responses. Then Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) is utilized for modal identification. For disregarding the fictitious ‘computational modes', a procedure, Statistically Averaging Modal Frequency Method (SAMFM), is developed to distinguish the true modes from noise modes, and to improve the precision of the identified modal frequencies of the structure. An offshore platform is modeled with the finite element method. The theoretical modal parameters are obtained for a comparison with the identified values. The dynamic responses of the platform under random wave loading are computed for providing the output signals used for identification with ERA. Results of simulation demonstrate that the proposed method can determine the system modal frequency with high precision.

A Global Reliability Assessment Method on Aging Offshore Platforms with Corrosion and Cracks

Corrosion and fatigue cracks are major threats to the structural integrity of aging offshore platforms. For the rational estimation of the safety levels of aging platforms, a global reliability assessment approach for aging offshore platforms with corrosion and fatigue cracks is presented in this paper. The base shear capacity is taken as the global ultimate strength of the offshore platforms. It is modeled as a random process that decreases with time in the presence of corrosion and fatigue crack propagation. And the corrosion and fatigue crack growth rates in the main members and key joints are modeled as random variables. A simulation method of the extreme wave loads which are applied to the structures of offshore platforms is proposed too. Furthermore, the statistics of global base shear capacity and extreme wave loads are obtained by Monte Carlo simulation method. On the basis of the limit state equation of global failure mode, the instantaneous reliability and time dependent reliability assessment methods are both presented in this paper. Finally the instantaneous reliability index and time dependent failure probability of a jacket platform are estimated with different ages in the demonstration example.

An Integrated Approach to Fatigue Life Prediction of Whole System for Offshore Platforms

The failure of one or even more components usually does riot lead to the collapse of the whole structure. Most of the analysis of fatigue is centered on only a single component which the researchers are interested in or Much attention should be paid to. However, the collapse of a structure is the result of failure of a series of components in a specific order or path. This paper proposes an integrated approach to fatigue life prediction of whole structural system for offshore platforms, mainly describing the basic principles and prediction method. A method is presented for determining the failure path of the whole structure system and calculating the fatigue life in the determined failure path, The corresponding final collapse criteria for the whole structure system are discussed, A simple method of equivalent fatigue stress range calculation and a mathematical model of structural component fatigue life estimation in consideration of sea wave and sea ice loads are provided. As an application of the proposed approach, a fixed production platform Bohai No. 8 is chosen for the predication of fatigue life of the whole structure system by means of the software OSFAC developed based on the present methods.

Damage Detection Methods for Offshore Platforms Based on Wavelet Packet Transform

The wavelet packet transform is used for the damage detection of offshore platforms. When some damage occurs, the dynamic response parameters of the structure will shift subtly. However, in some cases, the dynamic parameters, such as dynamic response, are not sensitive, and it is very difficult to predict the existence of damage. The present paper aims to describe how to find small damage by the use of wavelet packet transform. As the wavelet packet transform can be used to quickly find the singularity of the response signal on different scales, the acceleration signal of a damaged offshore platform in the time domain is transformed through the wavelet packet. Experimental results show that the Daubechies 4 wavelet transform can be used to detect damage.

Experiment Verification of Damage Detection for Offshore Platforms by Neural Networks

In the present work, damage detection for offshore platforms is divided into three steps. Firstly, the located direction of the damaged member is detemfined by the pmbabilistic neural network with input of the change rate of normalized medal frequency. Secondly, the profile and layer of the damaged member is also determined by the pmbabilistic neural network with input of the normalized damage-signal index. Finally, the damage extent is determined by the back propagation neural networks with input of the squared change rate of modal frequency. So the size of the network and the training time can be reduced greatly. All these networks are trained with simulated data obtained from the finite element model of an experiment model. Then these trained neural networks are examined with data obtained from impulse tests on the experiment model. The experiment results show that the trained neural networks are able to detect the damaged member with reasonable accuracy.

Group Decision Making Based Fuzzy Pattern Recognition Model for Lectotype Optimization of Offshore Platforms 1

This paper develops a fuzzy pattern recognition model for group decision making to solve the problem of lectotype optimization of offshore platforms. The lack of data and the inexact or incomplete information for criteria are the main cause of uncertainty in the evaluation process, therefore it is necessary to integrate the judgments from different decision makers with different experience, knowledge and preference. This paper first uses a complementary principle based pairwise comparison method to obtain the subjective weight of the criteria from each decision maker. A fuzzy pattern recognition model is then developed to integrate the judgments from all the decision makers and the information from the criteria, under the supervision of the subjective weights. Finally a case study is given to show the efficiency and robustness of the proposed model.

Lectotype Optimization of Offshore Platforms by Use of Three-Scale Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process

A Three-Scale Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (T-FAHP) is proposed by introducing the Three-Scale Analytical Hierarchy Process (T-AHP) and the trapezoid fuzzy number. A multi-objective optimization model based on the T-FAHP is presented subsequently, in which many factors influencing the lectotype of offshore platform are taken into account synthetically, such as the original investment, the maintenance, cost, the ability of resisting fatigue and corrosion, the construction period, the threat to the environment, and so on. With this method, the experts can give the relatively precise ranking weight of each index and at the same time the requirement of consistence checking can be met, The result of a calculation example shows that the T-FAHP is practical.

Neural Network-Based Active Control for Offshore Platforms

A new active control scheme, based on neural network, for the suppression of oscillation in multiple-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) offshore platforms, is studied in this paper. With the main advantages of neural network, i.e. the inherent robustness, fault tolerance, and generalized capability of its parallel massive interconnection structure, the active structural control of offshore platforms under random waves is accomplished by use of the BP neural network model. The neural network is trained offline with the data generated from numerical analysis, and it simulates the process of Classical Linear Quadratic Regular Control for the platform under random waves. After the learning phase, the trained network has learned about the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the active control system, and is capable of predicting the active control forces of the next time steps. The results obtained show that the active control is feasible and effective, and it finally overcomes time delay owing to the robustness, fault tolerance, and generalized capability of artificial neural network.

Semi-Active TLCD Control of Fixed Offshore Platforms Using Artifical Neural Networks

In this paper, the control method for fixed offshore platforms using semi-active tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) is presented. The equation of motion for the platform-TLCD control system is given and the semi-active control strategy is established. A back propagation artificial neural network (ANN) is used to adjust the orifice opening of TLCD because of the nonlinear motion of liquid in TLCD. The effectiveness of the control method is verified by numerical examples.

A new bracing system for improvement of seismic performance of steel jacket type offshore platforms with float-over-deck

In this paper, the seismic response of a newly designed steel jacket offshore platform with a float over deck （FOD） system in the Persian Gulf was investigated through incremental dynamic analysis. Comparison of incremental dynamic analysis results for both directions of the platform shows that the lateral strength of the platform in the float over direction is less than its lateral strength in other direction. Dynamic characteristics measurement of a scale model of platform was also performed using forced vibration tests. From experimental measurement of the scaled model, it was observed that dynamic characteristic of the platform is different in the float over direction compared to the other direction. Therefore, a new offshore installed bracing system for the float over direction was proposed for improvement of seismic performance of this type of platform. Finally, the structure with the modified system was assessed using the probabilistic seismic assessment method as well as experimental measurement of its dynamic characteristics. It was observed that the proposed offshore installed bracing system improves the performance of platforms subjected to strong ground motion.

Numerical Forecasting of Icing on Structural Components of Offshore Platforms in Polar Regions

The Polar Regions are rich in natural resources but experience an extremely cold climate.The surfaces of offshore platforms operating in the Polar Regions are prone to icing.To develop solutions to this problem of surface icing,the influence of both the liquid water concentration of the surrounding atmosphere and the average water droplet diameter on the formation of ice on two major structural components of offshore platforms was analyzed using a combination of Fluent and FENSAP-ICE.Results showed that at a wind speed of 7 m/s,as the concentration of liquid water in the air increases from 0.05 to 0.25 g/m3,the amount and thickness of the icing on the surfaces of the two structural components increase linearly.At a wind speed of 7 m/s and when the size of the average water droplet diameter is 20–30(30–35)μm,as the average water droplet diameter increases,the amount and thickness of the icing on the surfaces of the two structural components increase(decrease)gradually.

Efficient Approximate Method of Global Reliability Analysis for Offshore Platforms in the Ice Zone

Ice load is the dominative load in the design of offshore platforms in the ice zone, and the extreme ice load is the key factor that affects the safety of platforms. The present paper studies the statistical properties of the global resistance and the extreme responses of the jacket platforms in Bahai Bay, considering the randomness of ice load, dead load, steel elastic modulus, yield strength and structural member dimensions. Then, based on the above results, an efficient approximate method of the global reliability analysis for the offshore platforms is proposed, which converts the implicit nonlinear performance function in the conventional reliability analysis to linear explicit one. Finally, numerical examples of JZ20-2 MSW, JZ20-2NW and JZ20-2 MUQ offshore jacket platforms in the Bahai Bay demonstrate the satisfying efficiency, accuracy and applicability of the proposed method.

Investigation of Allowable Stresses for Fatigue Design of Fixed Offshore Platforms

Fatigue design method is usually used for estimating whether a platform structure meets the requirements of fatigue resistance. It is described in API RP-2A and ZC rules for fixed offshore platforms, in which the allowable stresses for fatigue design are defined. In this paper discussed are the allowable stresses related factors, such as wave climate, structural response, fatigue behaviour of structural members.

Torsionally coupled dynamic performance analysis of asymmetric offshore platforms subjected to wave and earthquake loadings

The dynamic equations of motion of asymmetric offshore platforms under three different environmental conditions:seismic action,wave action and their combination are established in this paper. In establishing these motion equations,three typical eccentricity types including mass eccentricity,rigidity eccentricity and their combination were considered,as are eccentricities that occur un-idirectionally and bi-directionally. The effects of the eccentricity type,the dynamic characteristics and the environmental conditions on the torsional coupling response of platforms are investigated and compared. An effort has also been made to analyze the inffluence of accidental eccentricity on asymmetric platforms with different eccentricity in two horizontally orthogonal directions. The results are given in terms of non-dimensional parameters,accounting for the uncoupled torsional to lateral frequency ratio. Numerical results reveal that the eccentricity type has a great inffluence on the torsionally coupled response under different environmental conditions. Therefore,it is necessary to consider the combination of earthquake and wave action in the seismic response analysis of some offshore platforms.