A Parametric Study on Effect of Wave Height, Water Depth and Support Conditions on Behaviour of Offshore Jacket Structure

Abstract

Fixed offshore jacket structures are constructed for facilitating oil/gas exploration and production. These structures and their foundations are designed to resist large vertical and lateral loads. Various factors including water depth, wave height and support conditions would affect the response of jacket structures. However, few studies have focused on understanding the response of offshore jacket structure due to variation in these factors. In this context, the present work evaluates response of typical X-braced, square base, 4-legged battered jacket structure using STAAD Pro. under combined vertical and lateral environmental loading. The variables included are water depth (60 m, 90 m and 120 m), wave height (5 m, 10 m and 15 m) and two foundation modelling approaches (viz., fixed at pile location and with defined pile stiffness). The connection between structure leg and pile location is modelled to simulate realistic connection. Deck loads, wind forces and current velocities are considered constant for this study. The wind and wave loads have been applied in parallel, perpendicular and diagonal directions with respect to jacket structure. The wave forces are calculated by Morrison’s equation. For obtaining pile stiffness, medium dense sand layer is considered as foundation soil. The increase in water depth and wave height results in corresponding linear increase in lateral deflection and support reactions, the effect of water depth being more prominent. Moreover, lateral and vertical deflection, shear force and bending moment in the legs, the axial forces in the lower tie beams and plan bracings, and support moments are observed to increase when pile locations are modelled with appropriate vertical, lateral and rotational stiffness instead of fixed support. The effect of water depth on member forces is higher as compared to wave height. The present work deliberates on the mechanisms/reasons to explain the observed results and contributes in direction of framing decision matrix for design optimization of jacket structures.