Wind tunnel and CFD studies of wind loadings on topsides of offshore structures

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive study of wind loads on various offshore platforms using both wind tunnel experiments and CFD at model scales. The platforms studied include an LNGC with simple topside geometry, a FPSO with complex porous blocks, and a JUP with mixed simple blocks and tall truss structures. The 3D-printing is used to fabricate experimental models to ensure consistency with CFD models. Sensitivity studies of mesh types, mesh independence, turbulence models, wind profiles and wind speed independence are conducted to achieve highly accurate and reliable simulation results. Comparisons between the CFD and experimental results of six loading components and surface pressure measurements at over 20 sensor locations for each platform show good agreement across various wind directions and geometries. The robustness of the experiments and CFD models can serve as a reference for future offshore wind loading studies. Detailed examinations of the wind fields surrounding the platforms and the effects of porosity levels on wind loading reveal unique internal flow structures that differentiate among the structures and provide explanations for variations in loading and discrepancies. These findings contribute to a better understanding of wind fields and loading on the superstructures of offshore platforms and can inform the design and operation of similar structures in the future.