Validation of wave response

analysis for jack-up rigs

Prepared by:
Zentech Inc.
For the Health and Safety Executive

OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY REPORT

2000/094

 Crown copyright 2000

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First published 2000
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CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

WAVE RESPONSE ANALYSIS

3.1

Hydrodynamic Analysis

3.2

Structural Analysis

3.3
The Wave Response Method
3.3.1
Steady State Response to Regular Waves
3.3.2
Response to Irregular Waves
3.3.3
Selection of Wave Height-Period for Transfer Function
3.3.4
Maximum Value Prediction
3.3.5
Design Force

5
5
6
7
7
9

EXAMPLE PROBLEMS

10

LETOURNEAUS 116-C MODEL 300 FT WATER DEPTH

11

5.1

Response for Regular Waves

11

5.2
Response for Irregular Waves
5.2.1
Pinned Case
5.2.2
Fixity Case

6
6.1

12
12
19

LETOURNEAUS 116-C MODEL 250 FT WATER DEPTH

Response for Regular Waves

24

6.2
Response for Irregular Waves
6.2.1
Pinned Case
6.2.2
Fixity Case

7
7.1

24

24
24
30

FRIEDE & GOLDMANS L-780 MODEL 300 FT WATER DEPTH

Response for Regular Waves

35
35

7.2
Response for Irregular Waves
7.2.1
Pinned Case
7.2.2
Fixity Case

35
35
42

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8

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS

47

8.1

Summary

47

8.2

Conclusions

49

AREA OF FURTHER RESEARCH

10 REFERENCES

50
51

ii

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 3-1 Comparison of Wave Response and Time Domain Regular Wave Analysis.................. 5
Table 5-1 Details of 116-C Jack-up Rig 300 Depth .................................................................. 11
Table 5-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear .................................................................................. 13
Table 5-3 Comparison of Inertia Force ......................................................................................... 14
Table 5-4 Comparison of DAF ...................................................................................................... 15
Table 5-5 Comparison of Design Force......................................................................................... 16
Table 5-6 Comparison of Design OTM......................................................................................... 17
Table 5-7 Comparison of Inertia Force ......................................................................................... 19
Table 5-8 Comparison of DAF ...................................................................................................... 20
Table 5-9 Comparison of Design Force......................................................................................... 21
Table 5-10 Comparison of Design OTM....................................................................................... 22
Table 6-1 Details of 116-C Jack-up Rig 250 Depth .................................................................. 24
Table 6-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear .................................................................................. 25
Table 6-3 Comparison of Inertia Force ......................................................................................... 25
Table 6-4 Comparison of DAF ...................................................................................................... 27
Table 6-5 Comparison of Design Force......................................................................................... 29
Table 6-6 Comparison of Design OTM......................................................................................... 29
Table 6-7 Comparison of Inertia Force ......................................................................................... 30
Table 6-8 Comparison of DAF ...................................................................................................... 32
Table 6-9 Comparison of Design Force......................................................................................... 33
Table 6-10 Comparison of Design OTM....................................................................................... 34
Table 7-1 Details of L-780 Jack-up Rig 300 Depth .................................................................. 35
Table 7-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear .................................................................................. 36
Table 7-3 Comparison of Inertia Force ......................................................................................... 36
Table 7-4 Comparison of DAF ...................................................................................................... 38
Table 7-5 Comparison of Design Force......................................................................................... 39
Table 7-6 Comparison of Design OTM......................................................................................... 40
Table 7-7 Comparison of Inertia Force ......................................................................................... 42
Table 7-8 Comparison of DAF ...................................................................................................... 43
Table 7-9 Comparison of Design Force......................................................................................... 44
Table 7-10 Comparison of Design OTM....................................................................................... 45
Table 8-1 Comparison of Wave Force with different Current....................................................... 48

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1 ABSTRACT
For dynamically sensitive systems such as jack-up rigs, a dynamic analysis is performed to
assess their structural response. In order of their increasing complexity, the available analysis
methods may be broadly classified as: (1) Single degree of freedom; (2) Frequency domain;
and (3) Time domain approach. Some of these analysis techniques are outlined in SNAME
T&R 5-5A.
The random time domain approach is considered most accurate although most complex,
whereas the SDOF method is the simplest but approximate. Frequency domain methods are
generally applied to simple linearized models. A frequency decomposition of the wave forces
on a structure indicates that even for a regular wave, higher harmonic components are present
due to non-linearities. Therefore, SDOF method severely overestimates the inertia forces near
the natural period, while possibly underestimating the dynamic response further away.
This study recommends a practical frequency-domain dynamic analysis method referred here
as Wave Response Analysis (WAVRES), which leads to comparable results on extreme
values as the random time domain analysis. For regular wave steadystate response, the
method is based on mode superposition without the assumption of linearization and considers
the effect of higher harmonics, which reduces the overall resonance effects predicted by the
SDOF method. This method is further extended to random seas. It is computationally very
efficient, applicable to reasonably large size models and amenable to simple interpretation.
Therefore, this method is seen as a close alternative to the random time domain analysis, and
offers significant time saving to the practicing engineer without sacrificing the accuracy and
being unduly conservative. Nonlinear effects such as P-delta effect, foundation stiffness etc.
can be included in the method through suitable linearization.
The purpose of the study is to obtain the results from the proposed method and to compare
them to more accurate time domain methods. The study outlines the proposed technique, and
discusses the various frequency domain methods, such as drag-inertia parameter and Rayleigh
distribution. In order to benchmark this method, the study analyzes a few practical examples
of jack-up rig models and compares results from the above analyses with the time domain
results for both regular and irregular waves. It has been demonstrated that Wave Response
Analysis (WAVRES), leads to comparable results of extreme values of dynamic response as
the random time domain analysis. The method appears to give good results irrespective of the
jack-up model, water depth, wave heights and periods, and foundation fixity conditions. For
high current, static response using drag-inertia parameter appears to be over-predicted, but
prediction of inertia forces still remains accurate, which is of prime importance for design
assessment.

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2 INTRODUCTION
For dynamically sensitive structures such as jack-up rigs, compliant towers etc. the
performance of dynamic analysis of some sort is almost inevitable to assess the safety of the
unit during design storms. The dynamic analysis model becomes complicated because of
several reasons. The primary ones among these are: non-linearity of the drag force, random
nature of the wave, and structural or foundation non-linearity. In this paper we exclude the
material and structural non-linearity factors but include discussions on the nature of drag
forces, the random process involved and the prediction of maximum expected response.
The current practice of analyzing such systems varies over a wide range. It starts with the
simplest method of idealizing the structure as a single degree of freedom system (SDOF) for
the evaluation of the dynamic amplification factor (DAF), to the most accurate one of
nonlinear time domain method using random waves. Moreover, for the time domain
simulation, since generally only one time series is realized, statistical extrapolation is
absolutely necessary to extract meaningful results. In view of these limitations, the present
paper discusses a frequency-domain method that is less complex and computationally less
intensive than the time domain solution, but produces results much better than the SDOF
method and often close to the random time domain method.
In the next few sections, the frequency-domain method is elaborated. First, the method is
described for regular waves in order to bring out the essential features of drag loading and its
implication to the DAF evaluation. Then it is extended to include a wave spectral description,
along with procedures for statistical extreme value prediction. The method is applied to the
following examples of jack-up rigs and the results are compared to similar results obtained
from SDOF modeling and random time domain simulation:
Example 1
Example 2

a) LeTourneaus 116-C Model 300 ft water depth

b) LeTourneaus 116-C Model 250 ft water depth
Friede & Goldman L-780 Model 300 ft water depth

The method is a practical tool that can be used for complex structural geometry to obtain
meaningful results, but may not possess very strict mathematical justification.

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3 WAVE RESPONSE ANALYSIS
The wave response analysis and its extension to spectral analysis has been described in detail
in a recent paper, A Practical Frequency-Domain Method for Random-Wave Analysis and
Its Application to Jack-up Units, by Partha Chakrabarti, et al., OTC 10795, May 1999. A
summary of this method is presented here.
3.1

HYDRODYNAMIC ANALYSIS

For structures of interest here, the members are slender and prismatic. The wave forces on this
type of members are calculated by Morison equation. The total wave force is given by the
summation of a drag component and an inertia component. The drag force depends on the
square of the fluid particle velocity and introduces nonlinearity to the excitation force. The
higher order terms in the dynamic analysis occur not only because of the velocity-squared
term but also due to higher order wave theory, variable submergence of elements near the
water surface, etc.
For most frequency domain methods linearization is necessary for the solution of the
equations of motion (Gudmestad et al, 1983), in which higher terms are dropped for
mathematical simplification. Usually the equivalent linearized drag and inertia components
are evaluated and used for wave load computation and subsequent structural dynamic
analysis.
As will be explained later, wave response method does not need any drag linearization.

3.2

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

The equation of motion of a structure can be written in terms of the structural displacement, v
as:
M o v&&( t ) + C v& ( t ) + Kv ( t ) = P ( t )

... 1

In general the above (Eq. 1) is a matrix equation, where Mo is the mass matrix which includes
added mass effects for submerged members, C is the damping matrix, K is the linear stiffness
matrix, and P(t) is the external load vector.
For linear systems the above equations can be decoupled using mode shapes and generalized
coordinates in placement of the structural displacements etc. For the uncoupled set of
equations, the response for a steadystate harmonic excitation is harmonic, and it is fairly
simple to express the solution in closed form. However, structures such as jack-ups
experience large drag force. Therefore, even in regular waves, the hydrodynamic forcing
function would include harmonics higher than the wave frequency as well as a steady force
such as, due to current. Thus the contribution to the total force on the structure is distributed
over a range of discrete harmonics.

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This is demonstrated in Figs. 3-1 and 3-2. In Fig. 3-1, the total static and dynamic base shear,
on a jack-up rig structural model is plotted as time history over one wave period. Fig. 3-2
plots the Fourier transform coefficients for the base shear. These two plots clearly show that
the wave force time history is not purely sinusoidal, but has higher harmonics present.

Fig. 3-1 Base Shear Time History

1500

Base Shear - Static

1000

Base Shear - Dynamic

(WAVRES)

kips

500
0
1

17

25

33

41

49

57

-500
-1000
-1500

Step No.

Fourier Component

Fig. 3-2 Fourier Components in Wave Force

1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0

Static Base Shear

Dynamic Base Shear

Wave Frequency Ratio

Irregular seastate is usually represented by a wave spectrum, which can be viewed as a

superposition of harmonic waves of different frequencies, amplitudes and phases. Due to the
nonlinearity of the drag force, frequency domain approaches normally fail to represent the
true statistical properties of excitation and response unless special simplifications are made.
Therefore, a usual method is to perform time domain calculations for the structural response.
In this method, the wave train is simulated by the superposition of a large number of Airy
waves of different frequencies, the amplitudes of which are selected from a description of the
wave spectrum and phases are selected as random variables. Care is taken so that the resulting
wave train has the same statistical properties as the original spectrum. Such time domain
calculations should be performed for a sufficiently long duration and several realizations have
to be analyzed to achieve stable statistics of response. SNAME TR-5-5A (1997) has
recommendations concerning such dynamic analysis for site assessment of jack-up rigs.

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3.3

THE WAVE RESPONSE METHOD

The procedure for wave response method of analysis is described here, first for regular waves
and is then extended to irregular waves.
3.3.1

Steady State Response to Regular Waves

In the wave response method of analysis proposed here, the force is not linearized, but rather
the hydrodynamic excitation is expressed as a superposition of several harmonics. For regular
waves, the following steps are used:
A linear or appropriate higher order wave theory is used and the wave force on the
structure is calculated stepping the wave one wavelength through the structure in small
increments.
As many eigenmodes of the structure as are required to have the desired mass
participation are extracted.
Fourier components of the generalized loading for each mode are evaluated. In general
several higher harmonics which are multiples of wave frequency will be present. The
number of Fourier components is chosen based on the accuracy of the representation
desired.
Steadystate modal responses to these individual Fourier components due to the selected
modes are evaluated.
For the final structural analysis, modes are superposed for the dynamic response with due
regard to phase relationships of all the components
Since the method depends on modal superposition, the structural system should essentially be
linear. In certain cases involving limited nonlinear elements such as the foundations,
linearized properties can be used in the structural model. Other improvements such as
isolating static and dynamic response for enhanced recovery of the static response can also be
achieved. For regular waves, the method produces results almost identical to the time domain
analysis. This is demonstrated in Table 3-1 and Fig. 3-3, where the dynamic response of a
jack-up model is analyzed for three wave periods both using the wave response method and
time domain analysis. The maximum amplitude of dynamic base shear response is plotted for
comparison. As the plot indicates, the results from both the procedures match almost exactly.
The small variation noticed is not due to the method, but due to a slight difference in
segmentation used for wave force calculation on a member.

Table 3-1 Comparison of Wave Response and Time Domain Regular Wave Analysis
Period, sec
8.836
11.486
13.254

Static Base Shear, kips

Wave Response
Time Domain
112.5
106.77
136.54
132.47
145.67
142.27

Dynamic Base Shear, kips

Wave Response
Time Domain
123.12
117.78
475.17
474.47
291.25
292.98

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Fig. 3-3 Validation of Regular Wave Response withTime Domain

500

450

400

Dynamic Base Shear, kips

350

300

250

200
Wave Response
150

Time Domain

100

50

0
8

10

11

12

13

14

Period, sec

3.3.2

Response to Irregular Waves

For irregular waves, the sea state is represented by a wave spectrum S(). Spectral analysis
for any linear system involves constructing the transfer function of the response R(), such as
base shear, lateral deflection, etc. and using the following expression for the response
spectrum SR()

S R ( ) = S ( ) R 2 ( )

... 2

The wave spectrum is normally given for a site, and often, standard forms of the spectrum
such as Pierson-Moskowitz, JONSWAP etc. are used. For dynamic wave analysis, the
construction of the structural transfer function will involve analyzing the structure for a range
of frequencies at unit wave amplitude. For a zero-mean Gaussian process, once the response
spectrum is evaluated, the statistical properties of the response, such as the standard deviation,
zero-crossing period etc. can be found by standard spectral analysis techniques. Extreme
values are predicted assuming the peaks to be Rayleigh distributed. However, when the
process involves nonlinearity such as due to drag, the evaluation of response and its statistics
is not straightforward. The difficulties arise because
The transfer function itself is not linear, i.e., it is dependent on the height of the regular
wave selected
The process is not Gaussian, and the evaluation of statistical extreme is more complex.
In order to address the above difficulties several methods have been tried in the past. These
methods with some modifications are discussed briefly.

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3.3.3

Selection of Wave Height-Period for Transfer Function

As mentioned earlier, this selection is very important for subsequent response calculations in
view of the nonlinear nature of drag forces. Many references [e.g., 3] suggest a relationship of
wave period of the form:

T = 1 + 4 .1 H

0 .4
det

... 3

where Hdet = 0.86Hmax, and H is in meters and T in seconds. The relationship implies that the
wave height increases almost parabolically with the period.
In this paper an alternate choice of wave height-period relationship is proposed for each
incremental Ti (i=2/Ti) selected for constructing the transfer function. The relationship
proposed here is based on the wave energy distribution and is of the form:
Hi = Hs

S i ( )
S o ( o )

... 4

where Hs is the significant wave height and o is the frequency corresponding to the peak
period. The advantage of the above relationship is that it maintains the relative importance of
various frequencies in a random wave spectrum, Fig. 3-4.
Fig. 3-4 Period to Height Relationship
160

Wave Height H, ft

140

Equation 3

120

Equation 4

100
80
60
40
20
0
0

10
15
Period T, sec

20

25

It has been demonstrated in an earlier work [1] that transfer functions using wave heightperiod relationship given by the traditional formula (Eq. 3) could overestimate the response
especially at higher periods. Transfer function using wave heights in proposed method (Eq. 4)
can predict the responses much better. Therefore, this method has been adopted.
3.3.4

Maximum Value Prediction

For a Gaussian system, the usual assumption involved for predicting the maximum value is to
use Rayleigh distribution. For a non-Gaussian process, other assumptions are necessary in
predicting the most probable maximum response, as Rayleigh distribution leads to
underestimation. Application of drag-inertia parameter method of prediction will be
discussed.

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Rayleigh Distribution. For Gaussian process, the most probable maximum response mpmR is
given by the following well-known expression:
mpmR = R 2 ln( N ) = RCR

... 5

where R is the standard deviation of response R and N is the number of cycles of the
response based on the storm duration. For example, considering a storm duration of 3 hours,
and a zero-crossing period of the response equal to 10 seconds, N=1080 and the
multiplication factor CR becomes 3.73
Drag-Inertia Parameter Approach. The drag-inertia parameter is defined as the ratio of the
magnitude of the drag force to the magnitude of the inertia force, due to waves. In the absence
of current for an element of a circular cylinder of diameter D and unit length, subjected to a
periodic wave, the drag-inertia parameter becomes:

K =

2C D u 2
C M D u&

... 6

As both u and u& depend on the wave parameter (wave height, period, and water depth), and
the elevation at which the element is located, K is also a function of these parameters.
Therefore, theoretically, K is only meaningful for Morison wave loading for a unit length of
the member.
The definition of K can be extended to random waves by replacing the deterministic normal
velocity and acceleration by the standard deviation of the random velocity and acceleration
respectively. Thus for a single element:
K=

R (C M = 0 )
8 R (C D = 0 )

... 7

where the variable R corresponds to the wave force per unit length in a random sea. In the
above expression, the terms in the parenthesis mean that the quantity is evaluated by setting
one of the hydrodynamic parameters to zero.
The above equation can be generalized to apply to any local or global response R of interest.
This generalization is purely an engineering postulate and does not have a strict theoretical
foundation.
The mpm-factor CR, which is the ratio of the most probable maximum value to the standard
deviation is given as a function of the drag-inertia parameter K. For drag dominated structures
(CM=0), CR=8.0 and for inertia dominated structures, (CD=0), CR=3.7.
Hybrid Method. Earlier studies [2] indicated that the drag-inertia approach gives better results
for static wave force maximum than Rayleigh distribution, although it overpredicts compared
to the time domain method. On the other hand, it underpredicts the dynamic response
significantly, whereas Rayleigh distribution matches the time domain results quite closely.
This is expected since the dynamic inertia force on a structure arises from its vibrations, and
for a linear structure, the inertia force is expected to closely follow a Gaussian process.

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In view of the above it was concluded that a hybrid method where the static maximum
response is computed using drag-inertia approach and the extreme dynamic inertia force from
Rayleigh distribution would produce better results.
This hybrid method has been implemented in the wave response methodology.
3.3.5

Design Force

In wave response methodology, the total inertia force (or overturning moment) on the
structure is calculated using the spectral analysis technique described above using Rayleigh
distribution. In a subsequent pass of the analysis, the structure is analyzed using the regular
wave response method for a wave with Hdet and Tp. The inertia forces are then scaled to match
the base shear obtained from Rayleigh distribution. This way, the overall distribution of the
inertia force on the structure is retained. This is particularly convenient because, for structural
analysis one is interested in not only the base shear but overall performance of the structure
including evaluation of joint deflections, member stresses etc., which is difficult in a
probabilistic format. Thus the total design force is static wave force for a regular wave plus
the inertia force from spectral analysis, similar in concept to that recommended in [3]. One
may chose to position the structure with respect to the wave phase such that either maximum
base shear or overturning moment become the governing criteria for selection. It should be
noted that the drag-inertia prediction of static wave force maximum is only required to
calculate the DAF, it is not required to calculate the design force.

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4 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS

A jack-up rig is a dynamically sensitive structure specially when it operates in deeper water.
In order to demonstrate the relative merits of the various techniques of analysis described, two
example structures of independent latticed leg jack-up rig have been used. These are:
Example 1
Example 2

a) LeTourneaus 116-C Model 300 ft water depth

b) LeTourneaus 116-C Model 250 ft water depth
Friede & Goldman L-780 Model 300 ft water depth

For each of the examples two cases are considered: (i) pinned base, (ii) spudcan with fixity.
Thus the cases analyzed represent a wide range of dynamic system.
The structural models use simple beams and three stick legs. The models have been calibrated
for stiffness, wave loads and dynamics with more detailed plate-beam models. For equivalent
latticed leg segments hydrodynamic parameters, CD and CM, have been evaluated based on
procedures given in [3]. To include P-delta effects, negative horizontal springs have been
included at the hull level.

The behavior of spudcan is nonlinear due to the soil-structure interaction. For case (ii),
spudcan springs are applied for all three translational and two horizontal rotational directions.
These springs represent linearized springs for the non-linear spudcan behavior. It is assumed
that the global inertial load on the structure can be well predicted using a time-averaged
spring stiffness of the foundation, as long as soil failure does not occur.
A total of 10 modes have been used for all calculations. The damping used is 7% of critical
for all modes.
All calculations for time-domain as well as frequency-domain wave response analysis are
performed using the software StruCAD*3D [4].

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5 LETOURNEAUS 116-C MODEL 300 FT WATER DEPTH
The particulars of the 3-leg jack-up model are shown in Table 5-1.
Table 5-1 Details of 116-C Jack-up Rig 300 Depth
Leg length
Air Gap
Spud can penetration
Support Location
Elevated weight
Leg weight
Spud can weight
Natural Period - Pinned
Natural Period Fixity
Equivalent Diameter
Drag Coefficient, CD
Inertia Coefficient, CM

5.1

477 ft
50 ft
25 ft
10ft below mudline
15,100 kips
2683 kips each
362 kips each
10.88 sec
7.31 sec
87.29 in
4.92
2.0

RESPONSE FOR REGULAR WAVES

To demonstrate the effect of higher harmonics to the dynamic response, the structure with
pinned bottom is analyzed using the frequency-domain wave response method for a regular
wave of height 33.1ft and a range of periods. A small current of 0.7 knots has been included
in the wave model.
Time domain analyses have also been carried out for the same wave periods. Dynamic
Amplification Factors (DAFs) obtained from the analyses have been plotted in Fig. 5-1 versus
the ratio of natural period to the wave period, Tn/Tw. The corresponding DAFs for a SDOF
system are also plotted.
Some explanation of the definition of DAF for wave loads is pertinent here. The pseudo-static
variation of the total wave load is calculated by stepping the wave over one wave-period
through the structure. As shown before, even for a regular wave, the wave load time-history,
including nonlinear effects, shows non-zero mean value. This value is higher when current is
present. The DAF, therefore, could be defined in various ways. Two definitions of DAF that
are used here are:
DAF 1 =

Rdyn
Rstat

max
max

+ Rdyn
+ Rstat

min
min

... 8

DAF

Rdyn
Rstat

max

... 9

max

DAF1 should be compared with the SDOF DAF, whereas DAF2 should be compared with the
time domain. In Fig. 5-1 the values of DAF1 (amplitude based) and DAF2 (maximum value
based) have been plotted, which indicate that the DAFs from wave response analysis are much

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less than the SDOF DAFs because of higher harmonics present in the wave force. One may
note that as the wave period moves away from the natural period on either side, the regular
wave analysis can even lead to a deamplification of the static response.
Fig. 5-1 Comparison of DAF for Regular Waves
8.00
SDOF DAF
7.00

WAVRES DAF (Max)

6.00

WAVRES DAF (Amp)

DAF

5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

Tn/Tw

5.2

5.2.1

RESPONSE FOR IRREGULAR WAVES

Pinned Case

Using the transfer function for base shear, the response in irregular waves for a P-M spectrum
with Hs=20.69 ft has been evaluated for a range of peak wave periods. For the spectral wave
response method, the extreme value calculation for the static wave force has been performed
using Drag-Inertia parameter approach. The maximum inertia force, which is defined as the
difference between the dynamic and the static mpme values, has been calculated using
Rayleigh distribution. The total dynamic response is a sum of the static mpme value and the
maximum inertia force. The DAF has been evaluated based on Eq. 9. The design force is the
summation of static base shear obtained from a final pass of the regular wave response
analysis for Hdet and Tp plus the inertia force scaled down to the maximum value obtained
from spectral analysis.
Similarly, random time domain analysis for the same linear structure has been carried out. For
random time domain analysis, Wheelers form (1969) of Airy waves has been used. For the
time domain analysis, five different time history realizations each of 60 minutes duration were
analyzed. The most probable maximum value has been evaluated using Weibull distribution
for each of the response time histories. The final most probable extreme (mpme) values are
obtained as the average ensemble value of the individual sample maximums.
A comparison of the static wave force is made in Table 5-2. The results are also plotted in
Fig. 5-2. Results of static wave force obtained from equivalent regular waves using Deans
Stream Function theory have also been included for comparison. The results indicate that
maximum static wave force from spectral wave response based on Drag-Inertia method
closely match those from a regular static analysis, wave response values being slightly higher

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(1-5%). The K factor (Eq. 7) ranges from 0.53-0.73. The random time domain analysis
underestimates wave forces by as much as 5-18% from the regular static for almost the entire
period range.
Table 5-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear
Tp

Regular
Static Base
Shear
Sec
kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear
kips

% Diff.

Base Shear
kips

% Diff.

506

416

-17.79%

513

1.38%

10

540

466

-13.70%

548

1.48%

11

575

507

-11.83%

590

2.61%

12

614

572

-6.84%

634

3.26%

13

652

578

-11.35%

677

3.83%

14

689

629

-8.71%

718

4.21%

15

725

689

-4.97%

758

4.55%

Fig 5-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear

800

700

Base Shear, Kips

600

500

400

Time Domain
Wavres (Spetral)

300

Regular Wave
200

100

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300

0
9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Period, Sec.

Most probable maximum dynamic response was also computed by spectral wave response
and time domain analysis. The maximum inertia force, which is defined as the difference
between the dynamic and the static mpme values, is shown in Table 5-3.

13

ZENTECH, INC.
Table 5-3 Comparison of Inertia Force
Tp
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response
kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear Inertia Force Base Shear Inertia Force Inertia Force
mpme, kips
kips
mpme, kips
kips
% Diff.

653

755

339

877

364

7.37%

10

1398

921

455

1102

554

21.76%

11

2511

1045

538

1245

654

21.56%

12

1759

1167

595

1311

676

13.61%

13

1290

1142

564

1320

643

14.01%

14

1074

1158

529

1301

579

9.45%

15

961

1152

463

1278

509

9.94%

The total dynamic base shear from the wave response and random time domain analysis is
plotted in Fig. 5-3 and the inertia force plotted in Fig. 5-4. The results from regular wave
response analyses are also plotted for comparison. The plots indicate that the inertia force
from spectral wave response match the time domain results quite closely, within 7-22%. The
regular wave response shows the traditional peak near the natural period and overestimates
the response near it. For wave periods about 17-25% (14 sec <Tp<9 sec,) away from the
natural period, the regular wave analyses underestimate the dynamic response. This is due to
the fact that for regular waves, all energy is still contained at the wave period, which is away
from the natural period. Whereas, for a spectral analysis, the tail of the wave spectrum could
still overlap the natural period, which increases the dynamic response for irregular wave
analysis.

Fig 5-3 Comparison of Total Base Shear - Pinned

3000

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

2500

Base Shear, Kips

Wavres ( Regular)
2000

1500

1000

500

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300

0
9

10

11

12

Period, sec

14

13

14

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ZENTECH, INC.

The DAF computed using Eq. 9 is shown in Table 5-4 and plotted in Fig. 5-5. Again the
spectral wave response results show excellent comparison with time domain. The DAFs from
regular wave analyses are also plotted. The spectral wave response results are within +1 to 6% of the time domain results.

Fig 5-4 Comparison of Inertia Force - Pinned

2500

Time Domain
Waveres (Spectral)
Wavres ( Regular)

Inertia Force, Kips

2000

1500

1000

500

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300
0
9

10

11

12

13

14

Period, Sec

Table 5-4 Comparison of DAF

Tp
Tn/Tw
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response

Random
Time
Domain
DAF

Spectral Wave Response

DAF

% Diff.

1.21

1.29

1.81

1.71

-5.52%

10

1.09

2.59

1.98

2.01

2.43%

11

0.99

4.37

2.06

2.11

2.43%

12

0.91

2.86

2.04

2.07

1.47%

13

0.84

1.98

1.98

1.95

-1.52%

14

0.78

1.56

1.84

1.81

-1.63%

15

0.73

1.33

1.67

1.69

1.20%

15

15

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 5-5 Comparison of DAF - Pinned
5.00

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

4.50

Wavres (Regular)
4.00

3.50

DAF

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300
Natural Period, Tn = 10.88 Sec.

1.00

0.50

0.00
0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

Tn/Tw

The design force comprising of regular static and inertia force from spectral calculations are
shown in Table 5-5 and plotted in Fig. 5-6. This shows that the spectral wave response
follows a smooth trend over the period ranges similar to the random time domain, only the
forces are about 3-10% higher.

Table 5-5 Comparison of Design Force

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec
Base Shear
kip
870

% Diff.

Base Shear
kip
845

10

995

1094

9.95%

11

1113

1229

10.42%

12

1209

1290

6.70%

13

1216

1295

6.50%

14

1218

1268

4.11%

15

1188

1234

3.87%

2.96%

The corresponding design overturning moments at the base of the spudcan are tabulated in
Table 5-6 and plotted in Fig. 5-7.

16

ZENTECH, INC.
Table 5-6 Comparison of Design OTM
Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec
OTM
kip-ft
288894

% Diff.

OTM
kip-ft
282430

10

326181

359395

10.18%

11

364046

396115

8.81%

12

403990

405267

0.32%

13

370620

394371

6.41%

14

361271

373225

3.31%

15

342631

351167

2.49%

2.29%

Fig 5-6 Comparison of Design Force - Pinned

1400

Design Base Shear, Kips

1200

Time Domain

1000

Wavres ( Spectral)

800

600

400

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300

200

0
9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Period, sec

The design OTM using spectral wave response is within 0-10% of the time domain results.

17

ZENTECH, INC.

Fig 5-7 Comparison of Design OTM - Pinned

450000

400000

Design OTM, Ft-Kips

350000

Time Domain

300000

Waveres (spectral)
250000

200000

150000

100000

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300

50000

0
9

10

11

Period, sec.

18

12

13

ZENTECH, INC.
5.2.2

Fixity Case

Similar analyses have been performed for spud cans with fixity. The static wave force is the
same for the pinned condition. Most probable maximum dynamic response was computed by
spectral wave response and time domain analysis. The maximum inertia force is shown in
Table 5-7.
Table 5-7 Comparison of Inertia Force
Tp
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response
kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear Inertia Force Base Shear Inertia Force Inertia Force
mpme, kips
kips
mpme, kips
kips
% Diff.

972

709

293

820

307

4.78%

10

834

759

293

826

278

-5.12%

11

732

795

288

832

242

-15.97%

12

662

777

205

845

211

2.93%

13

567

767

189

866

189

0.00%

14

670

772

143

891

173

20.98%

15

909

776

87

915

157

80.46%

Fig 5-8 Comparison of Total Base Shear - Fixity

1200

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

Base Shear, Kips

1000

800

600

400

200

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300
0
9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Period, sec

The total dynamic base shear from the wave response and random time domain analysis is
plotted in Fig. 5-8 and the inertia force plotted in Fig. 5-9. The results from regular wave
response analyses are also plotted for comparison. The plots indicate that the inertia force
from spectral wave response match the time domain results quite closely, within 20%, except
for 15 second period. For this period, the inertia force itself is relatively small. Time domain
results have some waviness, this is probably because of averaging with limited number of
seeds. The regular wave response shows a dip near 13 sec and increases thereafter. The dip is

19

ZENTECH, INC.
because of deamplification. The increase in response beyond this is probably due to wave
reinforcement.

The DAF is shown in Table 5-8 and plotted in Fig. 5-10. Again the spectral wave response
results show excellent comparison with time domain. The DAFs from regular wave analyses
are also plotted. The spectral wave response results vary on either side of the time domain
DAF generally within 10 to +7% of the time domain results.
Table 5-8 Comparison of DAF
Tp
Tn/Tw
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

DAF

DAF

% Diff.

0.81

1.92

1.70

1.60

-5.88%

10

0.73

1.54

1.63

1.51

-10.19%

11

0.66

1.27

1.57

1.41

-10.19%

12

0.60

1.08

1.36

1.33

-2.21%

13

0.56

0.87

1.33

1.28

-3.76%

14

0.52

0.97

1.23

1.24

0.81%

15

0.49

1.25

1.13

1.21

7.08%

Fig 5-9 Comparison of Inertia Force - Fixity

500

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

450

Wavres (Regular)

400

Inertia Force, Kips

350

300

250

200

150

100

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300

50

0
9

10

11

12

Period, Sec

20

13

14

15

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 5-10 Comparison of DAF - Fixity
2.50

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

2.00

DAF

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00
0.85

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300
Natural Period, Tn = 7.31 Sec
0.8

0.75

0.7

0.65

0.6

0.55

0.5

0.45

Tn/Tw

The design force comprising of regular static and inertia force from spectral calculations are
shown in Table 5-9 and plotted in Fig. 5-11. This shows that the spectral wave response
follows a smooth trend over the period ranges similar to the random time domain, the forces
are within 5 to +9% of each other.
Table 5-9 Comparison of Design Force
Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec
Base Shear
kip
813

% Diff.

Base Shear
kip
799

10

833

818

-1.80%

11

863

817

-5.33%

12

819

825

0.73%

13

841

841

0.00%

14

832

862

3.61%

15

812

882

8.62%

1.75%

The corresponding design overturning moments at the base of the spudcan are tabulated in
Table 5-10 and plotted in Fig. 5-12.

21

ZENTECH, INC.

Fig 5-11 Comparison of Design Force

Time Domain
1200

Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

Design Base Shear, Kips

1000

800

600

400

200

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300
0
9

10

11

12

13

14

Period, sec

Table 5-10 Comparison of Design OTM

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec
OTM
kip-ft
248747

% Diff.

OTM
kip-ft
247216

10

250795

243773

-2.80%

11

248817

234642

-5.70%

12

230652

227197

-1.50%

13

221543

222476

0.42%

14

210943

219314

3.97%

15

197395

216961

9.91%

0.62%

The design OTM using spectral wave response is within 3 to +10% of the time domain
results.

22

15

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 5-12 Comparison of Design OTM - Fixity
300000

Time Domain
Waveres (Spectral)

Design OTM, Ft-Kips

250000

200000

150000

100000

50000

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 300
0
9

10

11

12

Period, sec

23

13

14

15

ZENTECH, INC.
6 LETOURNEAUS 116-C MODEL 250 FT WATER DEPTH

The particulars of the 3-leg jack-up model for 250-ft water depth are similar to the 300-ft
depth model and shown in Table 6-1.
Table 6-1 Details of 116-C Jack-up Rig 250 Depth
Leg length
Air Gap
Spud can penetration
Support Location
Elevated weight
Leg weight
Spud can weight
Natural Period - Pinned
Natural Period Fixity
Equivalent Diameter
Drag Coefficient, CD
Inertia Coefficient, CM

6.1

477 ft
50 ft
25 ft
10ft below mudline
15,100 kips
2683 kips each
362 kips each
9.22 sec
6.41 sec
87.29 in
4.92
2.0

RESPONSE FOR REGULAR WAVES

The responses to regular waves using wave response and SDOF have already been compared
in previous section. So this is not repeated here. Wherever pertinent, response to regular
waves have been included in the discussions that follow for irregular waves.
6.2
6.2.1

RESPONSE FOR IRREGULAR WAVES

Pinned Case

Using the transfer function for base shear, the response in irregular waves for a P-M spectrum
with Hs=20.69 ft has been evaluated for a range of peak wave periods. The methodology for
evaluation of the response by spectral wave response and random time domain has already
been described in the previous section.
A comparison of the static wave force is made in Table 6-2. The results are also plotted in
Fig. 6-1. Results of static wave force obtained from equivalent regular waves using Deans
Stream Function theory have also been included for comparison. The results indicate that
maximum static wave force from spectral wave response based on Drag-Inertia method
closely match those from a regular static analysis, wave response values being slightly higher
(1-3%), except for wave period 8 sec, where it is about 16%. The regular wave base shear is
relatively smaller at this period possibly because of cancellation effect. The K factor (Eq. 7)
ranges from 0.52-0.68. The random time domain analysis underestimates wave forces by as
much as 12-20% from the regular static for almost the entire period range.

24

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 6-1 Comparison of Static Base Shear
800

700

Base Shear, Kips

600

500

400

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

300

Regular-Wave
200

100

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, Sec.

Table 6-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear

Tp

Regular
Static Base
Shear
Sec
kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear
kips

% Diff.

Base Shear
kips

% Diff.

415

343

-17.35%

480

15.66%

494

398

-19.43%

496

0.40%

10

531

450

-15.25%

535

0.75%

11

572

500

-12.59%

583

1.92%

12

618

538

-12.94%

633

2.43%

13

665

580

-12.78%

681

2.41%

Most probable maximum dynamic response was also computed by spectral wave response
and time domain analysis. The maximum inertia force, which is defined as the difference
between the dynamic and the static mpme values, is shown in Table 6-3.
Table 6-3 Comparison of Inertia Force
Tp
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response
Kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear Inertia Force Base Shear Inertia Force Inertia Force
mpme, kips
kips
mpme, kips
kips
% Diff.

651

721

378

826

346

1855

878

480

994

498

-8.47%
3.75%

10

1661

1017

567

1080

545

-3.88%

11

1167

1022

522

1102

519

-0.57%

12

967

1046

508

1097

464

-8.66%

13

868

1023

443

1080

399

-9.93%

The total dynamic base shear from the wave response and random time domain analysis is
plotted in Fig. 6-2 and the inertia force plotted in Fig. 6-3. The results from regular wave
response analyses are also plotted for comparison. The plots indicate that the inertia force

25

ZENTECH, INC.
from spectral wave response match the time domain results quite closely, within 10 to +3%.
The regular wave response shows the traditional peak near the natural period and
overestimates the response near it. For wave periods about 15-23% (12 sec <Tp<8 sec,) away
from the natural period, all the regular wave analyses underestimate the dynamic response.
This is due to the fact that for regular waves, all energy is still contained at the wave period,
which is away from the natural period. Whereas, for a spectral simulation, the tail of the wave
spectrum could still overlap the natural period, which increases the dynamic response for the
time-domain irregular wave analysis.

Fig 6-2 Comparison of Total Base Shear - Pinned

2000

Time Domain
1800

Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

1600

Base Shear, Kips

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

200

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

The DAF computed using Eq. 9 is shown in Table 6-4 and plotted in Fig. 6-4. Again the
spectral wave response results show excellent comparison with time domain. The DAFs from
regular wave analyses are also plotted. The spectral wave response results are within 7-18%
of the time domain results.

26

ZENTECH, INC.

Table 6-4 Comparison of DAF

Tp
Tn/Tw
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

DAF

DAF

% Diff.

1.15

1.57

2.10

1.72

-18.10%

1.02

3.76

2.21

2.00

-10.62%

10

0.92

3.13

2.26

2.02

-10.62%

11

0.84

2.04

2.04

1.89

-7.35%

12

0.77

1.56

1.94

1.73

-10.82%

13

0.71

1.31

1.76

1.59

-9.66%

Fig 6-3 Comparison of Inertia Force - Pinned

1600

Time Domain
Waveres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

1400

Inertia Force, Kips

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

0
8

10

11

Period, Sec

27

12

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ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 6-4 Comparison of DAF - Pinned
4.00

Time Domain
3.50

Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

3.00

DAF

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250
Tn = 9.22 sec.

0.50

0.00
1.2

1.1

0.9

0.8

0.7

Tn/Tw

The design force comprising of regular static and inertia force from spectral calculations are
shown in Table 6-5 and plotted in Fig. 6-5. This shows that the spectral wave response
follows a smooth trend over the period ranges similar to the random time domain, within
about 4 to +2%.

28

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 6-5 Comparison of Design Force - Pinned
1200

1000

Design Base Shear, Kips

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

800

600

400

200

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, Sec

Table 6-5 Comparison of Design Force

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

Base Shear
kip
793

Base Shear
kip
761

% Diff.
-4.04%

974

992

1.85%

10

1098

1076

-2.00%

11

1094

1091

-0.27%

12

1126

1082

-3.91%

13

1108

1064

-3.97%

The corresponding design overturning moments at the base of the spudcan are tabulated in
Table 6-6 and plotted in Fig. 6-6.
Table 6-6 Comparison of Design OTM
Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

OTM
kip-ft
233515

OTM
kip-ft
219077

% Diff.
-6.18%

275583

279222

1.32%

10

309595

297143

-4.02%

11

299777

292613

-2.39%

12

298815

279034

-6.62%

13

285271

262354

-8.03%

The design OTM using spectral wave response is within 8 to +1 % of the time domain
results.

29

ZENTECH, INC.

Fig 6-6 Comparison of Design OTM - Pinned

350000

Design OTM, Ft-Kips

300000

250000

Time Domain
200000

Waveres (Spectral)

150000

100000

50000

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

6.2.2

Fixity Case

Similar analyses have been performed for spud cans with fixity. The static wave force is the
same for the pinned condition. Most probable maximum dynamic response was computed by
spectral wave response and time domain analysis. The maximum inertia force is shown in
Table 6-7.
Table 6-7 Comparison of Inertia Force
Tp
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response
kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear Inertia Force Base Shear Inertia Force Inertia Force
mpme, kips
kips
mpme, kips
kips
% Diff.

772

486

143

617

137

-4.20%

723

556

158

636

140

-11.39%

10

670

611

161

666

131

-18.63%

11

593

645

145

706

123

-15.17%

12

500

664

126

751

118

-6.35%

13

802

685

105

794

113

7.62%

The total dynamic base shear from the wave response and random time domain analysis is
plotted in Fig. 6-7 and the inertia force plotted in Fig. 6-8. The results from regular wave
response analyses are also plotted for comparison. The plots indicate that the inertia force
from spectral wave response match the time domain results quite closely, within 19 to +7%.
The regular wave response shows a dip near 11 sec and increases thereafter. The dip is
because of deamplification. The increase in response beyond this period is probably due to
longer wavelength.

30

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 6-7 Comparison of Total Base Shear - Fixity
900

800

Base Shear, Kips

700

600

500

Time Domain

400

Wavres (Spectral)
300

Wavres (Regular)

200

100

Le Tourneau 116-C
W ater Depth = 250

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

The DAF is shown in Table 6-8 and plotted in Fig. 6-9. Again the spectral wave response
results show excellent comparison with time domain. The DAFs from regular wave analyses

Fig 6-8 Comparison of Inertia Force - Fixity

400

Time Domain
350

Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

Inertia Force, Kips

300

250

200

150

100

50

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, Sec

are also plotted. The spectral wave response results are within 0-10% of the time domain
results.

31

ZENTECH, INC.
Table 6-8 Comparison of DAF
Tp
Tn/Tw
Sec

0.80

Random
Time
Domain

Regular
Wave
Response

1.86

Spectral Wave Response

DAF

DAF

% Diff.

1.42

1.29

-9.15%

0.71

1.46

1.40

1.28

-8.82%

10

0.64

1.26

1.36

1.24

-8.82%

11

0.58

1.04

1.29

1.21

-6.20%

12

0.53

0.81

1.23

1.19

-3.25%

13

0.49

1.21

1.18

1.17

-0.85%

Fig 6-9 Comparison of DAF - Fixity

2.00

Time Domain
1.80

Wavres (Spectral)

1.60

Wavres (Regular)

1.40

DAF

1.20
1.00
0.80

0.60
0.40

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250
Natural Period, Tn = 6.41 sec.

0.20
0.00
0.85

0.8

0.75

0.7

0.65

0.6

0.55

0.5

0.45

Tn/Tw

The design force comprising of regular static and inertia force from spectral calculations are
shown in Table 6-9 and plotted in Fig. 6-10. This shows that the spectral wave response
follows a smooth trend over the period ranges similar to the random time domain, the forces
are within 4 to +1% of each other.

32

ZENTECH, INC.
Fig 6-10 Comparison of Design Force - Fixity
900

800

Design Base Shear, Kips

700

600

Time Domain

500

Wavres (Spectral)

400

300

200

Le Tourneau 116-C
Water Depth = 250

100

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

Table 6-9 Comparison of Design Force

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

Base Shear
kip
558

Base Shear
kip
552

% Diff.
-1.08%

652

634

-2.76%

10

692

662

-4.34%

11

717

695

-3.07%

12

744

736

-1.08%

13

770

778

1.04%

The corresponding design overturning moments at the base of the spudcan are tabulated in
Table 6-10 and plotted in Fig. 6-11.

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Table 6-10 Comparison of Design OTM

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

OTM
kip-ft
148490

OTM
kip-ft
141497

% Diff.
-4.71%

163764

154827

-5.46%

10

165618

156044

-5.78%

11

165911

157996

-4.77%

12

163921

160952

-1.81%

13

162166

163577

0.87%

Fig 6-11 Comparison of Design OTM - Fixity

200000

Design OTM, Ft-Kips

160000

Time Domain
120000

Waveres (Spectral)

80000

40000

Le Tourneau 116-C
Wave Depth = 250
0
8

10

11

12

13

Period. sec.

The design OTM using spectral wave response is within 0-6% of the time domain results.

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ZENTECH, INC.
7 FRIEDE & GOLDMANS L-780 MODEL 300 FT WATER
DEPTH
The particulars of the 3-leg jack-up model for 300 ft water depth shown in Table 7-1.
Table 7-1 Details of L-780 Jack-up Rig 300 Depth
Leg length
Air Gap
Spud can penetration
Support Location
Elevated weight
Leg weight
Spud can weight
Natural Period Pinned
Natural Period Fixity
Equivalent Diameter
Drag Coefficient, CD
Inertia Coefficient, CM

7.1

417 ft
37 ft
17 ft
10ft below mudline
12,500 kips
1186 kips each
350 kips each
9.70 sec
8.39 sec
48.05 in
2.98
2.0

RESPONSE FOR REGULAR WAVES

The responses to regular waves using wave response and SDOF have already been compared
for 116-C model. So this is not repeated here. Wherever pertinent response to regular waves
have been included in the discussions that follow for irregular waves.
7.2

7.2.1

RESPONSE FOR IRREGULAR WAVES

Pinned Case

Using the transfer function for base shear, the response in irregular waves for a P-M spectrum
with Hs=18.82 ft has been evaluated for a range of peak wave periods. A current of 1.5 knots
has been included in the wave model. The methodology for evaluation of the response by
spectral wave response and random time domain has already been described in the previous
section.
A comparison of the static wave force is made in Table 7-2. The results are also plotted in
Fig. 7-1. Results of static wave force obtained from equivalent regular waves using Deans
Stream Function theory have also been included for comparison. The results indicate that
maximum static wave force from spectral wave response based on Drag-Inertia method
closely match those from a regular static analysis, wave response values being 15-22%
higher. The K factor (Eq. 7) ranges from 0.96-1.09 which is considerable higher than for 116C models. This is mostly because of higher current used. The random time domain analysis
underestimates wave forces by as much as 8-17% from the regular static for almost the entire
period range. It appears that Drag-Inertia method tends to overestimate the static wave force
maxima when K factors are large.

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Table 7-2 Comparison of Static Base Shear
Tp

Regular
Static Base
Shear
Sec
Kips
8
211

Random Time Domain

Base Shear
kips
181

% Diff.

Spectral Wave Response

-14.22%

Base Shear
kips
258

% Diff.

238

202

-15.13%

279

17.23%

10

261

216

-17.24%

301

15.33%

11

279

237

-15.05%

321

15.05%

12

293

259

-11.60%

338

15.36%

13

305

280

-8.20%

354

16.07%

22.27%

Fig 7-1 Comparison of Static Base Shear

400

350

Base Shear, Kips

300

250

200

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

150

Regular-wave
100

50

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, Sec.

Most probable maximum dynamic response was also computed by spectral wave response
and time domain analysis. The maximum inertia force, which is defined as the difference
between the dynamic and the static mpme values, is shown in Table 7-3.
Table 7-3 Comparison of Inertia Force
Tp

Regular
Wave
Response
Kips
317

659

437

235

558

279

18.72%

10

997

473

257

615

314

22.18%

11

635

496

259

635

314

21.24%

12

471

509

250

629

291

16.40%

13

394

507

227

616

262

15.42%

Sec

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear Inertia Force Base Shear Inertia Force Inertia Force
mpme, kips
kips
mpme, kips
kips
% Diff.
333
152
448
190
25.00%

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Fig 7-2 Comparison of Total Base Shear - Pinned
1200

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

Base Shear, Kips

1000

800

600

400

200

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300
0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

The total dynamic base shear from the wave response and random time domain analysis is
plotted in Fig. 7-2 and the inertia force plotted in Fig. 7-3. The results from regular wave
response analyses are also plotted for comparison. The plots indicate that the inertia force
from spectral wave response match the time domain results quite closely, within 15-25%. The
regular wave response shows the traditional peak near the natural period and overestimates
the response near it. For wave periods beyond about 20% (11.5 sec <Tp<8.2 sec,) from the
natural period, all the regular wave analyses underestimate the dynamic response. This is due
to the fact that for regular waves, all energy is still contained at the wave period, which is
away from the natural period, whereas, for a spectral simulation, the tail of the wave spectrum
could still overlap the natural period. This increases the dynamic response for the timedomain and the wave response irregular wave analyses.

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Fig 7-3 Comparison of Inertia Force - Pinned
800

Time Domain
Waveres (Spectral)

700

Wavres (Regular)

Inertia Force, Kips

600

500

400

300

200

100

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, Sec

The DAF computed using Eq. 9 is shown in Table 7-4 and plotted in Fig. 7-4. Again the
spectral wave response results show excellent comparison with time domain. The DAFs from
regular wave analyses are also plotted. The spectral wave response results are within 3-7% of
the time domain results.
Table 7-4 Comparison of DAF
Tp
Tn/Tw
Sec

1.21

Regular
Wave
Response

1.50

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

DAF

DAF

% Diff.

1.84

1.74

-5.43%

1.08

2.77

2.16

2.00

-6.85%

10

0.97

3.82

2.19

2.04

-6.85%

11

0.88

2.28

2.09

1.98

-5.26%

12

0.81

1.61

1.97

1.86

-5.58%

13

0.75

1.29

1.81

1.74

-3.87%

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F ig 7-4 Comparis on of DAF - P inned
4.50

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

4.00

3.50

DAF

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300
Natural Period, Tn = 9.70 sec.

0.50

0.00
1.20

1.10

1.00

0.90

0.80

0.70

Tn/Tw

The design force comprising of regular static and inertia force from spectral calculations are
shown in Table 7-5 and plotted in Fig. 7-5. This shows that the spectral wave response
follows a smooth trend over the period ranges similar to the random time domain, only the
forces are about 6-11% higher.
Table 7-5 Comparison of Design Force
Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

Base Shear
kip
363

Base Shear
kip
401

% Diff.

473

517

9.30%

10

518

575

11.00%

11

538

593

10.22%

12

543

584

7.55%

13

532

567

6.58%

10.47%

The corresponding design overturning moments at the base of the spudcan are tabulated in
Table 7-6 and plotted in Fig. 7-6.

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Fig 7-5 Comparison of Design Force - Pinned
700

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

Design Base Shear, Kips

600

500

400

300

200

100

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300
0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

Table 7-6 Comparison of Design OTM

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

OTM
kip-ft
117740

OTM
kip-ft
126087

% Diff.

151917

162068

6.68%

10

164145

178352

8.66%

11

166996

181086

8.44%

12

166110

175019

5.36%

13

157430

166283

5.62%

7.09%

The design OTM using spectral wave response is within 5-9% of the time domain results.

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Fig 7-6 Comparison of Design OTM - Pinned
200000

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

180000

160000

OTM, Kips-ft

140000

120000

100000

80000

60000

40000

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300

20000

0
8

10

11

Period, sec.

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7.2.2

Fixity Case

Similar analyses have been performed for spud cans with fixity. The static wave force is the
same for the pinned condition. Most probable maximum dynamic response was computed by
spectral wave response and time domain analysis. The maximum inertia force is shown in
Table 7-7.
Table 7-7 Comparison of Inertia Force
Tp
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response
Kips

Random Time Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Base Shear Inertia Force Base Shear Inertia Force Inertia Force
mpme, kips
kips
mpme, kips
kips
% Diff.

742

378

197

492

234

18.78%

663

419

217

532

253

16.59%

10

465

428

212

538

237

11.79%

11

378

431

194

532

211

8.76%

12

325

410

151

522

184

21.85%

13

286

398

118

519

165

39.83%

The total dynamic base shear from the wave response and random time domain analysis is
plotted in Fig. 7-7 and the inertia force plotted in Fig. 7-8. The results from regular wave
response analyses are also plotted for comparison. The plots indicate that the inertia forces

Fig 7-7 Comparison of Total Base Shear - Fixity

800

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

700

Base Shear, Kips

600

500

400

300

200

100

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300

0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

from spectral wave response analyses are within 8-40% of the time domain results. The
regular wave response shows a lower inertia force above 10.3 sec period. The difference is
mainly because of spectral effect.

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Fig 7-8 Comparison of Inertia Force - Fixity

600

Time Domain
Waveres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

Inertia Force, Kips

500

400

300

200

100

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300
0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, Sec

The DAF is shown in Table 7-8 and plotted in Fig. 7-9. Again the spectral wave response
results show excellent comparison with time domain. The DAFs from regular wave analyses
are also plotted. The spectral wave response results vary on either side of the time domain
DAF generally within 10 to +4% of the time domain results.
Table 7-8 Comparison of DAF
Tp
Tn/Tw
Sec

Regular
Wave
Response

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

DAF

DAF

% Diff.

1.05

3.52

2.09

1.91

-8.61%

0.93

2.79

2.07

1.91

-9.60%

10

0.84

1.78

1.98

1.79

-9.60%

11

0.76

1.35

1.82

1.66

-8.79%

12

0.70

1.11

1.58

1.54

-2.53%

13

0.65

0.94

1.42

1.47

3.52%

The design force comprising of regular static and inertia force from spectral calculations are
shown in Table 7-9 and plotted in Fig. 7-10. This shows that the spectral wave response
follows a smooth trend over the period ranges similar to the random time domain, the forces
are within 3-11% of each other.

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Fig 7-9 Comparison of DAF - Fixity
4.00

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)
Wavres (Regular)

3.50

3.00

DAF

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300
Natural Period, Tn = 8.39 sec.

0.50

0.00
1.10

1.00

0.90

0.80

0.70

0.60

Tn/Tw

Table 7-9 Comparison of Design Force

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec
Base Shear
kip
445

% Diff.

Base Shear
kip
408

455

491

7.91%

10

473

498

5.29%

11

473

490

3.59%

12

444

477

7.43%

13

423

470

11.11%

9.07%

The corresponding design overturning moments at the base of the spudcan are tabulated in
Table 7-10 and plotted in Fig. 7-11.

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Fig 7-10 Comparison of Design Force - Fixity
600

Time Domain
Wavres (Spectral)

Design Base Shear, Kips

500

400

300

200

100

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300
0
8

10

11

12

13

Period, sec

Table 7-10 Comparison of Design OTM

Tp

Random
Time
Domain

Spectral Wave Response

Sec

OTM
kip-ft
129305

OTM
kip-ft
138265

% Diff.

142483

150768

5.81%

10

143918

150516

4.58%

11

140680

144697

2.86%

12

129209

137788

6.64%

13

119454

132590

11.00%

6.93%

The design OTM using spectral wave response is within 2-11% of the time domain results.

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Fig 7-11 Comparison of Design OTM - Fixity

160000

140000

Design OTM, Ft-Kips

120000

Time Domain

100000

Waveres
80000

60000

40000

20000

F & G L780
Water Depth = 300

0
8

10

11

Period, sec.

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8 SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS
8.1

SUMMARY

A new efficient frequency-domain method has been presented which accounts for some of the
hydrodynamic nonlinearities present in the dynamics of an offshore structure, such as a jackup unit. The method is approximate, but much simpler than the elaborate and timeconsuming time domain approach.
Two structural models of LeTourneaus 116-C jack-up unit, one for 300 ft and the other for
250 ft water depth, and one model for Friede & Goldman L-780 for 300 ft water depth, have
been analyzed in this report. Both the cases of spudcan as pinned and with fixity have been
analyzed. Based on the analysis and the results presented here, the following observations
may be made:
1. The presence of higher harmonics for static and dynamic base shear is shown in
regular waves.
2. Dynamic analysis for regular waves using Wave Response Method is discussed
considering hydrodynamic nonlinearities. The results from this analysis exactly match
those from time domain calculations.
3. Recommended wave height as a function of period increases sharply with period. An
alternate method for selecting the wave height is proposed for the construction of the
transfer function.
4. In irregular waves, a new and efficient hybrid method is proposed in which the draginertia parameter is used for the static response while the Rayleigh distribution for the
dynamic inertia response maxima.
5. Drag-Inertia method has predicted static wave response quite well, average deviation
being 8% from regular static. This is demonstrated in Fig. 8-1. However, it appears
that this method tends to overestimate the static wave force maxima when K factors
are large, e.g. for L-780 model. To investigate this further, additional static wave loads
Fig. 8-1 Comparison of Static Wave Force
1000
900
Wavres Drag-Inertia, kips

800
700
600
500
400

116-C - 300

300

116-C - 250

200

L780 - 300

100

Drag-Inertia/Regular = 1.00

0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

Regular Wave Static. kips

for both 116-C and L-780 models were run for a different value of current. For L-780
model the additional case was run for zero current (Hs=18.82 ft, Tp=10 sec), while for
116-C model, the additional case was run for 1.5 knot current (Hs=20.69 ft, Tp=10
sec). The results are summarized below:

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Table 8-1 Comparison of Wave Force with different Current
116 C Model

L-780 Model

Method of Analysis

Drag-Inertia

Low Current
kip
548

High Current
kip
968

Low Current
kip
146

High Current
kip
301

Regular Wave

540

832

142

261

% difference

1.48%

16.35%

2.82%

15.33%

From the above, it is concluded that the static wave force estimation by drag-inertia
method is close to the regular static wave force when current is small, but the
difference becomes large for higher current. The difference in estimation is not due to
any peculiarity of the models, but inherent to the procedure.
6. It is shown that the proposed method produces consistent results for the dynamic
maxima when compared to the time domain results for all the cases considered. This is
demonstrated in Fig. 8-2, where the inertia forces from all the cases analyzed has been
Fig. 8-2 Comparison of Inertia Force
800

Wavres Spectral, kips

700
600
500
116-C - 300 - Pinned
116-C - 300 - Fixity
116-C - 250 - Pinned
116-C - 250 - Fixity
L780 - 300 - Pinned
L780 - 300 - Fixity
Wavres/Time Domain = 1.00

400
300
200
100
0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Random Time Domain. kips

plotted against those from time domain simulation. The average deviation is about 9%
from time domain.
7. The design force from spectral wave response analysis, which is defined as the sum of
the maximum regular static and the inertia force from Rayleigh extrapolation, match
very closely (average deviation 3%) with those from time domain analysis, Fig. 8-3.
The same is the case for design overturning moment. For the design forces and
moments the static wave forces resulting from Drag-Inertia approach are not utilized.

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Fig. 8-3 Comparison of Design Force

1400

Wavres Spectral, kips

1200
1000
800

116-C - 300 - Pinned

116-C - 300 - Fixity

600

116-C - 250 - Pinned

116-C - 250 - Fixity

400

L780 - 300 - Pinned

200

L780 - 300 - Fixity

Wavres/Time Domain = 1.00

0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Random Time Domain. kips

8.2

CONCLUSIONS

Wave Response Method is a very powerful tool for dynamic analysis of structures such as
jack-up rigs. For regular waves it gives exact results as a time domain analysis. For irregular
waves the spectral wave response analysis technique provides a faster and often as accurate
estimation of the inertia force as random time domain simulation. The method is efficient for
large models and applicable for analysis of linear systems.

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9 AREA OF FURTHER RESEARCH
The suitability of the method has been demonstrated for different jack-up models, water
depths, wave conditions, and foundation fixity. For high current, the drag-inertia approach
appears to lead to higher static wave loads. However, the dynamic response remains
unaffected. An area of further research would be to investigate the criteria for foundation
linearization. In a nonlinear random time domain analysis, the foundation stiffness can be
treated as nonlinear depending on the level of loading on the foundation. In a frequency
domain analysis, the foundation stiffness can be included but it has to be independent of
loading level. Therefore, the foundation stiffness is linearized in the frequency domain model
to make it substantially equivalent to the time domain model. No equivalent linear system
can model all the aspects of the nonlinear formulation. Here, the objective would be to
estimate the inertia force as accurately as possible. In general, several linearization techniques
have been proposed in the past, among these the use of standard deviation spring appears to
be promising (Karunakaran, 1993).
The other area would be inclusion of relative velocity in the formulation. When structural
velocities are large compared to water particle velocities, the drag forces should be calculated
based on the relative velocity. The relative velocity also leads to higher damping of the
system. Further work is needed to include the relative velocity in the formulation.
The method should be applicable for other dynamically sensitive structures such as risers,
compliant towers etc. The validity of results should be evaluated for such systems.

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10 REFERENCES
1. A Practical Frequency-Domain Method for Random-Wave Analysis and Its Application
to Jack-up Units, Partha Chakrabarti, Subrata Chakrabarti and Adinarayana Mukkamala,
OTC 10795, May 1999.
2. Linearization Methods and Influence of Current on the Nonlinear Hydrodynamic Drag
Force, O.T. Gudmestad and J.J. Connor, Applied Ocean Research, 1983.
3. Site Specific Assessment of Mobile Jack-up Units, TR5-5A, SNAME, First Edition,
Revision 1, May 1997.
4. StruCAD*3D, Computer Software for Structural Analysis and Design, Zentech, Inc.,
Version 4.10, 1999.
5. Nonlinear Dynamic Response and Reliability Analysis of Drag-dominated Offshore
Platforms, Daniel N. Karunakaran, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Trondheim, Norway,
November 1993.

51

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