Three-dimensional modelling of offshore jack-up structures: An experimentally based research strategy

Abstract

When a mobile jack-up drilling rig is installed at a new offshore location, a site-specific assessment of the suitability of the unit must be performed. These assessments typically use two-dimensional plane frame analyses by assuming a symmetric rig and loading along the 'axis of symmetry'. However, wind, waves and current may not act along this axis or even be collinear. For a more accurate assessment three-dimensional models are required. In a numerical analysis, soil-structure interaction models based on plasticity theory have been shown to provide a suitable framework for the non-linear modelling of soil-foundation interaction. However, current state-of-the-art models have only been vali..