Hysteretic damping of soils for well conductor fatigue analysis

The fatigue assessment of a well conductor is a critical design task during offshore exploration and development of hydrocarbons. In recent years, major progress has been made towards the modelling of soil-conductor interaction. Upgraded soil-conductor interaction springs (i.e., p-y curves) and damping models are developed and are gaining acceptance by the industry. However, there is a general lack of simplified procedures to incorporate the soil damping into the time-domain structural analysis of a wellhead system. Thus, the motivation of this paper is to close this gap by proposing a simplified procedure for incorporating the soil damping in the well conductor time domain analysis. The procedure is generic and allows for convenient adoption of alterative p-y spring and damping models. Design charts for equivalent soil system damping ratio versus the lateral deflection of the conductor are developed through parametric analyses based on representative wellhead configurations with typical soil strength profiles in the Gulf of Mexico to facilitate practical design.     

Equivalent linear pseudostatic and dynamic modelling of vertically vibrating monopile

To optimize offshore wind turbine (OWT) design, an engineering tool has been developed allowing for a detailed investigation of the effects of nonlinear soil stiffness and damping on foundation dynamics. We have studied the response of a vertically oscillating offshore wind monopile foundation in a realistic soil profile subjected to loads between 1 and 200 MN in the frequency range 0–10 Hz with pseudo-static and equivalent linear dynamic model. The non-linear soil behaviour is modelled with an equivalent linear method with shear modulus reduction and damping curves as input. The tool is verified and validated by comparison with elasto-dynamic model and experiments. With increasing load amplitudes foundation stiffness increases and damping decreases. For large load amplitudes the lower part of the pile foundation contributes more to foundation damping. The results indicate the nonlinear foundation stiffness and damping can be modelled rationally by combining stiffness and hysteretic damping from nonlinear static tools with apparent mass and radiation damping from elasto-dynamic analysis. The tool can be used to compute soil springs and dampers based on laboratory-based soil stiffness and damping.     

Foundation damping for monopile supported offshore wind turbines: A review

Today, an important challenge for offshore wind energy is to design efficient and reliable offshore wind turbines (OWTs). The overall damping of OWTs plays an important role in the design process as it limits the amplitude of the OWT dynamic response at frequencies near resonance. Therefore, an accurate estimation of OWTs damping is necessary for the efficient design of these systems. The foundation damping is one of the main sources overall turbine damping and is the least well understood. This paper presents a critical review of recently published studies on foundation damping for OWTs on monopiles and explains how soil damping contributes to the total damping of OWTs. It also reviews the main methods that have been used for the estimation of foundation damping in numerical and experimental studies. In addition, the importance of damping to the OWTs fatigue life is discussed. Finally, a discussion is provided on the challenges to be overcome and recommendations for the accurate estimation of foundation damping.     

Support condition monitoring of monopile-supported offshore wind turbines in layered soil based on model updating

Monopile-supported offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are dynamically sensitive structures whose fundamental frequencies may be close to those of environmental and turbine-related excitations. The changes in fundamental frequencies caused by pile-soil interaction (PSI) may result in unwanted resonance and serious O&M (Operation and Maintenance) issues, which have been identified as major challenges in the research field. Therefore, a novel model updating framework with an implicit objective function is proposed to monitor both the stiffness and damping variation of the OWT system based on the measured vibration characteristics, which is further verified by laboratory tests. In particular, layered soil was considered in the tests to simulate the practical soil conditions of Chinese seas. Different pile lengths were introduced to consider the long-term PSI effects for rigid piles and slender piles. The results showed that the variation in the fundamental frequency is significantly reduced in layered soil compared with the pure sand scenario. For the OWT systems in layered soil, the variation in foundation stiffness is negatively related to the burial depth under cyclic loading. The proposed model updating framework is proven reliable for support condition monitoring of OWT systems in complicated soil conditions.     

预应力混凝土风机结构在环境载荷与5兆瓦负载下的三维分析模拟（英文）

A concrete gravity base structure may not be suitable for offshore weak soil because of its heavy weight. Therefore, a conceptual model for a concrete offshore wind turbine structure suitable for weak soils is proposed. The proposed model is composed of a prestressed concrete(PSC) supported by a pile foundation. For a three-dimensional analysis of the large concrete structure, wave pressures based on the diffraction wave theory are developed using a three-dimensional solid finite element method. Static and dynamic analyses were performed to achieve the conceptual model of a PSC structure subjected to ocean environmental loads and a 5-MW turbine load on southwest coast in Korea. From the analysis, the maximum displacement and stresses of the proposed model did not exceed the allowable values from design standard, and the first mode of natural frequency of the structure was in a safe range to avoid resonance. The proposed model has enough structural stability to withstand external loads, and it is expected to be used in locations suitable for concrete gravity structures.     

含损伤加筋板结构声辐射阻尼变异研究

从能量耗散角度提出了结构声辐射阻尼的有关概念,考虑到辐射阻尼的特性,文章采用结构振动时耗散能量与振动总能量的比来建立辐射阻尼的数学模型,并用数值计算的方法研究简支板结构的声辐射阻尼特性.在研究结构损伤对声辐射阻尼影响的时候,以加筋板结构为例,计算结构不同损伤情况下的声辐射阻尼.基于Mindlin理论,建立描述健康和损伤的四结点有限元板壳单元模型,采用有限元方法计算结构表面动力响应.各向同性损伤单元,采取刚度各向整体弱化的方法分析;对于各向异性损伤单元,采用Kachanov理论,引入了x和y两个方向的弹性损伤折减系数.考虑到不同损伤存在形式,计算分析了损伤对声辐射阻尼的影响.文章建立了一种含损结构的分析方法,通过对一些典型算例分析,在评价损伤对船舶与海洋结构物常用的加筋结构声辐射特性影响方面做出了一定的探索.     

Estimation of natural frequencies and damping using dynamic field data from an offshore wind turbine

The dynamic characteristics of offshore wind turbines are heavily affected by environmental loads from wave and wind action and nonlinear soil behaviour. In the design of the monopile structures, the fatigue load due to wind and wave loading is one of the most important problems to consider. Since the fatigue damage is sensitive to the foundation stiffness and damping, increasing the accuracy of analysis tools used in the design and optimization process can improve the reliability of the structure and reduce conservatism, thereby leading to a more cost-efficient design. In this context, analysis of field data is important for calibrating and verifying purposes. This paper presents analysis of measured accelerations and strains from a wind farm in the North Sea with monopile foundations. Field data during idling conditions, collected over long periods of operation, are analysed and the natural frequencies are determined, and damping is estimated. The measured natural frequencies are compared to calculated values using an aero-servo-hydro-elastic code, showing a good agreement in the frequency range below 2 Hz. Variation of the natural frequencies with intensity of loading may indicate effect of soil nonlinearity on the overall OWT response. Since the first natural bending modes have the largest potential to mobilize soil reactions, they are of primary interest in this context. The effect of load (wave, wind and dynamic bending moment) on the first natural frequency is investigated using different analysis techniques in the frequency domain and time domain. A clear correlation between load level and first natural frequency is demonstrated. A simple nonlinear SSI model of the tower/soil system is employed to numerically investigate the observed changes in the measured first natural frequency with the level of loading and increased overall damping. The simulated results reproduce the general trends in the observed reduction in the first natural frequency and increased damping ratio with the load level. However, the effect of the load level is less than that observed in the measurements, indicating contribution also from other factors than soil nonlinearity.     

Validation of earthquake analysis methodology of a suction-caisson foundation-structure through model testing

Suction caissons are one of the most widely used foundation solutions for subsea structures and wind farms. Seismic response of subsea structures is however seldom documented properly, often just treated as a foundation capacity issue applying a quasi-static acceleration and not considering the inertial interaction between the structure and the soil. The more relevant tasks to document are the motions of the unit and the response of the externally connected flowlines and equipment/systems on the unit.Based on a case study located in the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea, model centrifuge tests and numerical modelling were carried out to validate the global response of a 4-caisson supported manifold structure subject to seismic motions in soft clay. The centrifuge tests were carried out at 58 g at the centre for geotechnical modelling at UC Davis. To simulate the soil-structure interaction, a series of non-linear springs defined by kinematic hardening models were used in analyses with the ABAQUS software. This development includes the algorithms for determining the required model parameters. A very good agreement between recorded response from the centrifuge test and calculated response from the FE-analyses was achieved.The development and validation of the soil model presented in this paper is an improvement in design methodology for caisson foundations subjected to earthquake loading. The non-linear soil springs are well suited to incorporate in more detailed structural analyses where an accurate representation of the foundation response is required. The paper also briefly describes how the subsequent earthquake design analyses were performed for the Shah Deniz manifold structures making use of the validated soil spring model and the added value it gave to the project.     

Validation of a dynamic mooring model coupled with a RANS solver

Standard design procedures and simulation tools for marine structures are aimed primarily for use by the offshore oil and gas. Mooring system restoring forces acting on floating offshore structures are obtained from a quasi-static mooring model alone or from a coupled analysis based on potential flow solvers that do not always consider nonlinear mooring-induced restoring forces, fluid structure interactions, and associated hydrodynamic damping effects. This paper presents the validation of a dynamic mooring system analysis technique that couples the dynamic mooring model with a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations solver. We coupled a dynamic mooring model with a RANS equations solver, and analyzed a moored floating buoy in calm water, regular and irregular waves and validated our motion and mooring force predictions against experimental measurements. The mooring system consisted of three catenary chains. The analyzed response comprised decaying oscillating buoy motions, linear and quadratic damping characteristics, and tensile forces in mooring lines. The generally favorable comparison of predicted buoy motions and mooring forces to experimental data confirmed the reliability of our implemented coupling technique to predict system response. Additional comparative results from a potential flow solver demonstrated the benefits of the coupled dynamic mooring model with RANS equations. The successful validated tool of coupling the dynamic mooring model with the RANS solver is available as open source, and it shows the potential of the coupled methodology to be used for analyzing the moored offshore structures.     

粘弹性阻尼材料减振性能试验评估方法

为在船体结构声学设计阶段或阻尼材料研制阶段预先评估粘弹性阻尼材料的减振效果,基于锤击法,建立平板振动试验模型,引入频响函数幅值平均衰减量参数,对3型粘弹性阻尼材料复合试样分别在不同频段内的减振效果进行对比分析。结果表明：基于损耗因数和频响函数幅值平均衰减量的粘弹性阻尼材料减振效果试验评估方法能迅速在不同频段对阻尼材料的减振性能进行排序;利用频响函数幅值平均衰减量,可对耗能机理较为复杂的约束阻尼减振效果进行评估,为结构设计或研发阻尼材料提供依据。     

冰区海上风电基础的抗冰性能分析

海上风电基础属于典型的柔性结构。由于冰与柔性抗冰结构相互作用的复杂性,长期以来尚未形成基于动冰力响应分析的结构设计。结构抗冰设计中大都是从极端荷载出发,只考虑最大静冰力或最大倾覆力矩。基于对渤海辽东湾柔性抗冰结构的多年监测,发现强烈的冰激振动引起柔性结构的风险性要远大于极端静冰荷载下结构的整体安全问题。为了明确冰区风电基础结构的抗冰性能及抗冰设计的合理性,文章结合基于多年现场冰与结构作用观测及冰荷载的研究成果,明确该类柔性结构与海冰作用形式及其动力特性;提出了柔性抗冰结构设计中应考虑的主要失效模式及评价方法。最后,以渤海某典型风电基础为例,对其抗冰性能进行评价。该文的研究可为寒区风电基础的抗冰设计及安全保障提供合理依据。     

海洋平台相似模型设计及模态实验分析

通过理论分析，研究了材料阻尼对相似模型设计及实验数据分析的影响，在此基础上，设计并建造了海洋平台相似模型，并通过多输入单输出的方法对相似模型进行模态实验，得到其固有频率、空间振型、阻尼比等动力学参数。结果表明，材料阻尼对相似模型的几何尺寸没有影响，对模型的固有频率影响不大，可以忽略；但对模型的动力响应影响很大，在实验数据分析中必须加以考虑；为了方便应用，还给出已知阻尼比和阻尼系数时的转换关系。将模态实验数据与仿真分析结果进行对比，二者符合较好，从而验证了相似模型设计与建造的一致性及实验数据的可靠性。     

A method for structural damage detection considering scour depth under the pile-soil interaction

The structure of an offshore wind turbine accumulates damage during its service life, while its surrounding soil is continually scoured. However, the existing damage detection technique based on structural mode ignores scouring, which will cause damage misjudgment in engineering application. Therefore, the effect of scour depth on structural damage detection need to be studied urgently. In this paper, the pile and its surrounding soil are constructed into a vibration system, and the change of soil constraint state caused by scouring is reflected in structural mode. Based on that, a new structural damage detection method considering the pile-soil interaction is developed, which is suitable for engineering reality. Then, from a comparison between the calculated result and preset damage in the numerical simulations and model experiments, the proposed method is validated. The results show that the interference factors caused by scouring increase with the increase of scour depth, which causes the deterioration of damage identification effects gradually, and even masks the preset damage in the end. Finally, an optimized FE model based on the actual scour depth is presented, which reduces the number of interference factors and improves the effect of damage detection significantly.     

筒形基础安装失败案例分析

结合现场筒形基础安装全过程,有针对性地记录安装失败的关键环节,利用筒形基础设计及理论知识对贯入力、负压贯入过程和土塞效应影响进行全面地剖析,带有建设性意见地提出了导致筒形基础安装失败的原因,对日后该形式海工结构物海上安装具有一定的工程借鉴意义。     

计算小波分布判定海洋平台结构损伤方法研究

由于海洋平台结构长期处于恶劣的海洋环境中,并受到各种载荷的交互作用,结构容易产生各种形式的损伤。因此,对海洋平台进行实时监测有着十分重要的现实意义。本文以单筒简易导管架平台为例,主要在结构损伤的判定和定位两方面对海洋平台的实时结构健康监测进行研究,结果表明通过对结构响应信号进行小波分析,小波变换系数和小波包能量分布可以很好地定义损伤识别指标。     

海洋平台设计选型的多级模糊优化及非结构性模糊决策分析

针对海洋平台开发设计中经常遇到的复杂的方案优化选型问题，提出了将多因素，多级非结构性模糊优选理论引入到平台的设计选型中，根据影响平台选型的线构性因素，采用三级模糊优选，综合考虑了影响平台选型的各种优选目标，针对影响平台选型优化的因素非常复杂，确定隶属函数主观因素较强的情况，引入非结构性模糊决策法以确定其录属度和权重。通过此模糊优选模型，进行了一平台的设计选型优化，得到了比较理想的优选结果，证明了此模型在为海洋平台方案的设计选型的实用性。     

海洋平台振动模糊控制研究

在过去的三十年里,模糊逻辑控制在结构振动控制中得到了广泛的研究和应用.模糊逻辑控制具有很强的鲁棒性并且能够有效地处理非线性以及被控系统和外载荷的不确定性和不精确性,本文对于海洋平台振动模糊控制进行了研究.通过模态阻尼比的不确定性显示了模糊控制的鲁棒性,研究表明海洋平台的振动模糊主动控制是有效的、可行的,并且提高了平台的适用性和生存性.本文的方法毫无疑问为今后的海洋平台振动控制提供了一条新的途径.     

海上风力发电机组支撑结构动力响应特性研究

支撑结构设计是大型海上风电机组设计的重要部分。文章分析了海上风电机组的各种环境载荷,并以3MW风力机组为例计算其所受环境载荷,包括作用在支撑结构顶端的由风机叶轮转动引起的水平轴向力、作用在塔筒上的风载荷以及作用在基础上的海流、海浪载荷,并采用非线性弹簧来模拟基础与海底土层之间的相互作用。在考虑风轮影响情况下,利用有限元法对支撑结构进行了模态分析。最后,分析了环境载荷作用下支撑结构的动态响应。计算结果表明,在对海上风力发电机组进行动态响应计算时,环境载荷之间的相互耦合作用不能忽略。     

U型水舱结构阻尼对减摇性能影响的数值计算研究

水舱的结构阻尼是影响减摇效果的重要因素之一,目前阻尼最常用的研究方法是模型衰减试验。本文在验证了数值方法准确性的基础上,通过基于VOF方法全尺度CFD数值计算,比较了三种不同阻尼结构的水舱周期和阻尼的变化,并在此基础上进行强迫振荡模拟,对比三种结构的水舱抗摇力矩及其相位的变化,最后本文提出了一种基于数值计算的评估水舱在规则波中减摇效果的方法,结果表明该评估方法能够很好地反映阻尼结构对水舱减摇效果的影响,在水舱的设计中可作为阻尼结构的设计依据。     

Development of simplified method for prediction of structural response of stiffened plates under explosion loads

During their lifetime, marine structures may be exposed to accidental loadings such as from collisions or explosions, as well as environmental loadings such as from slamming, sloshing and green water. Such loadings can cause damage to structures. Therefore, to minimize such damage, advanced and robust design guidelines should be formulated. Among those loads, in this study, explosions imparting an impulsive pressure loading containing a rapid increase in pressure and a short duration that can cause serious casualties, property losses, and marine pollution were considered. In this paper, a practical and robust method for damage assessment of marine structures exposed to explosion loads based on a single degree of freedom (SDOF) system and numerical simulations is proposed. The SDOF method was improved by introduction of new and better idealization resistance for the system and consideration of the effect of strain-rate, and subsequently was verified by a numerical method developed using the commercial ABAQUS software package. The numerical method was itself validated by comparison with relevant pulse pressure test data available in the open literature (good correlation was shown). Based on the validated numerical models, a rigorous parametric study of the structural response of stiffened plates having actual scantlings of offshore structures was performed. The numerically obtained maximum deformations were compared with the results from the improved SDOF method in a parametric study, and the variation of both methods was verified. Finally, simple yet accurate and reliable formulations for prediction of structural response were empirically derived. These formulations are expected to be usefully employed as a first-hand tool for prediction of damage extent of marine structures (including offshore structures) due to explosion loads.