Estimation of Wave to Response Transfer Function for Jacket Platforms in Malaysian Waters

Waves are recognized as the most intriguing environmental challenge for offshore
structures. However, there is still deficiency in understanding the relationship between
waves and responses of a jacket platform. As motivation, the main objective is to
explore the relationship using wave to response transfer function for 3 jacket platforms
in Malaysian waters. In addition, relevant responses due to waves are compared and
contrasted among the platform models. As methodology, a full spectrum of wave-driven
analyses encircling in-place static analysis with non-linear pile-soil interaction,
pushover analysis, deterministic wave analysis and random wave analysis; is simulated
via SACS 5.3 suites of program. As outcome, four sets of transfer function are produced.
The first set of transfer function reveals that static responses are sensitive towards wave
height but not period. Plus, wave load seeks to overturn the structures in the propagating
direction; hence a withdrawal tendency for piles facing the incoming waves. The second
set of transfer function employs equivalent wave height as a sensible tool alongside
reserve strength ratio (RSR) in evaluating the ultimate capacity of a jacket platform.
Moreover, the third set of transfer function reveals the fundamental principle of
dynamical excitation and conservativeness of the design wave method. The fourth set
of transfer function analyzes responses and dynamical excitation due to random waves
through response amplitude operator (RAO) and dynamic amplification factor (DAF) in
the frequency domain.