Extreme-response analysis of jack-up platforms

The extreme wave and current response of a typical North Sea jack-up drilling platform has been calculated using nonlinear, stochastic, time-domain analysis techniques. A statistical treatment of the response-time histories has been performed. Appropriate probability distributions have been fitted to simulated response amplitudes and extrapolated to determine extreme values in storms of 3 or 6 h duration. Nonlinear geometric effects and dynamic effects are also addressed.

The results of the nonlinear time-domain analyses are compared to the results of more simplified methods used in jack-up designs.