Structural Stress Monitoring and FEM Analysis of the Cutting Operation of the Main Bracket of A Semi-Submersible Platform

For a semi-submersible platform in repair, the eight old main brackets which connect columns with pontoons need to be replaced by new ones. In order to ensure the safety of the cutting operation of the old main bracket and calculate the initial stress condition of new main bracket, the structural stress monitoring of eight key spots is carried out, and then the calibrated finite element model is established according to the field monitoring results. Before cutting the main bracket and all associated structures, eight rectangular rosettes were installed, and a tailored cutting scheme was proposed to release the initial stress, in which the main bracket and associated column and pontoon plates were partly cut. During the cutting procedure, the strains of the monitoring spots were measured, and then the structural stress of the monitored spots were obtained. The stress variation characteristics at different spots during the initial cutting operation were shown and the initial stress condition of the monitored spots was figured out. The loading and support conditions of the semi-submersible platform were calibrated based on the measured initial stress condition, which made the finite element model more credible. The stress condition with the main bracket and associated structures being entirely cut out is analyzed by the Finite Element Method (FEM), which demonstrates the cutting operation to be safe and feasible. In addition, the calibrated finite element model can be used to calculate the initial stress condition of the new main bracket, which will be very helpful for the long-term stress monitoring on the main bracket.

Investigation on Cutting Stability of Jacket in Decommissioning Process

Jacket cutting operation is one of the most complicated and highest risk operations in the process of decommissioning offshore piled platform, the security and stability of which must be assured. In this paper, the current research on offshore structure removal and jacket cutting is introduced, on the basis of which the types of load along with the load calculation method are determined. The main influences on the stability of a jacket in cutting are analyzed. The experiment test plan is drawn by using orthogonal testing method, and the formula of critical load during the cutting procedure is deduced by differential evolution algorithm. To verify the method and results of this paper, an offshore piled platform to be decommissioned in the South China Sea is taken for an example, and the detailed schedule for jacket cutting is made with the three-dimensional finite element model of the jacket established. The natural frequency, stress, strain and stability of the jacket during cutting process are calculated, which indicates that the results of finite element analysis agree well with that of the deduced formula. The result provides the scientific reference for guaranteeing the safety of jacket in cutting operation.

OPTIMIZING THE CUTTER FOR SLANTING KNIFE CUTTING OPERATION AND ITS BLANKING FORCE

The cutting force under a slanting cutter is discussed.It is not only related to the sheet to be cut and the slanting cutter height,but also to the shape of the cutter.It is from this point of view that the question of optimizing the cutter for slanting knife cutting operation is addressed.Then the general differential equations for the optimum cutter are obtained,and analytic solutions for the workpiece,the contour of which consists of straight lines and arcs,are obtained.A method for solving the general equations is also presented.The cutting force and breaking noise will be minimized for a given slanting cutter height and workpiece if the optimum cutter is employed.

Rock excavation using surface miners: An overview of some design and operational aspects

Surface miner, a continuous mining machine, is being manufactured in India and abroad owing to enhanced demand of production in various mining industries like coal, limestone, gypsum, bauxite etc. Different types of surface miners are manufactured today based on cutting drum placement and design specifications. Selective mining without drilling and blasting, high production and small size products are some of the prominent attractive features obtained with these moving marvels. This machine can be used with good efficiency in soft to medium hard rock (100-120 MPa). This paper synthesizes the different applications, equipment models, features offered, operating methods, cutting performance assessment models as well as typical production performance of surface miner in coal and limestone mines of India. Engine hour metre reading, diesel and pick consumptions are linearly influenced by production. The emphasis for future research is also brought out.