Analysis of environmental loads for marine structures Case study

Abstract

Offshore platform structures, whether fixed or floating, are exposed to a variety of environmental loads that affect their design and safety. The most important of these loads are winds and sea currents. Analysis of the environmental loads that affect marine structures is one of the most important aspects through which we can understand this type of facility and the impact of those loads on it, whether in terms of design or in terms of determining the materials used and their suitability to environmental conditions. Analyzing environmental loads and calculating the stresses resulting from them are among the most important analyzes that determine the extent of the platform’s efficiency, safety, and stability. It is also possible to determine the extent of deformations that can occur in the platform as a result of the dynamic loads placed on it, and thus special maintenance programs can be created that help raise the performance and efficiency of the platform. And improve its work. performance. The study aims to clarify the importance of analyzing environmental loads, namely wind loads, sea currents, earthquakes, and marine platforms, how to conduct this analysis, the extent of its effectiveness, and benefiting from it through a methodology based on a combination of description, analysis, and comparison methodologies, and Bentley SACS. The results indicated the importance of conducting these analyzes that contribute to developing the performance and lifespan of the platforms by conducting the necessary treatment for the shortcomings of the platforms, whether in terms of dynamic and static balance and weather factors that affect the platforms. The results that were conducted on the case study in south of Iraq offshore platform indicated that after a height of 50 meters It is the area most affected by the dynamic force of environmental loads. The critical angle of the platform in relation to the wind was 110, and in relation to the force it was ten degrees, which resulted in a movement of the centre of gravity of the platform.