Ship impact on offshore minimum-structure platforms Available to Purchase

This paper presents the findings of a numerical investigation into the vulnerability of the topsides safety systems to strong vibrations caused by a ship impact. Three minimum structures and a jacket platform have been considered in order to compare the magnitude of responses that could be expected for a range of ship impacts. The study has identified important operational issues that should be addressed when determining to what extent the resulting vibrations exceed equipment operating limits, or present a risk to personnel in their working environment. At present, the guidance for engineers with regard to dynamic response is only given for protecting installations against earthquakes, even though a ship impact can be much stronger and have more severe consequences. The acceleration spectrum has been used in order to generate acceleration spectra in a similar way to the approach adopted by the nuclear industry. This was done so that critical safety equipment could then be specified to withstand the vibrations which could arise from all forms of shock loading.