Module 2 – Design Process

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF MARINE

STRUCTURES
OE5540

10/31/2024 1 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Module 1
Physical oceanography; Basics of offshore wind, wave, current; tidal variations; regular and random waves; tidal and wind-
driven currents; Design water levels; Tide and storm surge; Deck and crest elevation for coastal and offshore structures;
Design wind, wave, and current.
Module 2
Principles of Working Stress and Load and Resistance Factor Design of steel structures; Allowable stresses and Partial
Safety Factors; Design Life and Selection of design parameters for fixed and floating structures;
Module 3
Introduction to ocean structures; Fixed and floating structures for oil and gas exploration; Concepts and design principles
of fixed offshore structures and pile foundations; Design principles of floating structures such as Tension Leg Platforms,
semi-submersible, and Spar. Conceptual design of Floating Structures; sizing and structural arrangement; pontoon design;
Module 4
Coastal structures such as breakwater, groin, and jetties for port and harbour development; RoRo/RoPax facilities; Design
principles of rubble mound structures; cross-section and geometry of breakwater, seawall, groins; sizing of armour layers;
Layout and design berthing structures, diaphragm walls and open sea jetty, breasting, and mooring dolphins; Dry Docks,
Slipways; Code Provision.

10/31/2024 2 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Design of structural members
Design of structural members or system means to select a suitable material with sufficient strength
satisfy the functional requirements with adequate safety margin.

Strength (Capacity) of structure is determined

from structural mechanics principles of bending,
axial and shear due to load effects (Demand).

Design is deemed to be satisfied when

Capacity  Demand

Capacity of the structure shall be evaluated for each individual element as well as the overall
system such that the functional requirements are satisfied throughout the life of the structure.
Similarly, the load effects or demand shall be evaluated such that the maximum effects occurring
during its functional life.

10/31/2024 3 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Design Methods
Design methods can be classified in to following two categories.

❑ Allowable Stress Design (ASD)

ASD method is based on principle that the load are estimated based on historical data and
associated effects are obtained by mechanics while the strength of the structure or system
is evaluated using selected material and their characteristics. A suitable factor of safety is
assigned against the overall strength.
❑ Limit State Design (LSD) or Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)
LRFD method is developed based on probabilistic approach using the characteristic
variation of loads and resistance. The uncertainty and variation of the loads is assessed
using probability theory to estimate the load factors while the resistance resistance factors.
The advantage of this method lies in the approach of variable load and resistance factors
depending on their variability and uncertainty.

10/31/2024 4 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Allowable Stress Method
Following procedure is adopted in the ASD method.

❑ Demand (Applied Stresses)

Applied stresses are calculated for category of load on a system or part of the structure using
basic structural mechanics principle of axial, bending and shear or combination of all. Elastic
theory is normally used as principle with linear stress distribution across the section.

Applied stress = f(geometry, section and stiffness)

❑ Capacity (Allowable Stresses)
Allowable stresses are obtained as a fraction of yield strength of the material (yield
strength divided by a suitable factor of safety) with due consideration for the behavior such
as buckling and slenderness effects.
Allowable stress = Yield Stress/Factor of Safety

Design is deemed to be safe when Allowable stress > Applied Stress !

10/31/2024 5 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Estimation of load and its effects
Following procedure is adopted to estimate the loads and to compute the effects loads on the structure.

❑ Loads are estimated based on historical information and maximum value is taken which may occur during
the design life. Design loads are adjusted from estimated loads based on past experience.
❑ Variation of loads or the probability of exceedence of the loads during the design life is not taken into
consideration explicitly.
❑ Response of the structure is evaluated using linear elastic theory assuming worst possible combination of
loads including P- effects and dynamic consideration if required. For example;

1.00 * Dead Load + 1.00 * Live Load

1.00 * Dead Load + 1.00 * Live Load + 1.00 * Environmental Load
1.00 * Dead Load + 1.00 * Seismic Load

❑ Applied stresses are calculated for axial, bending, shear, torsion, hydrostatic and buoyancy forces.

10/31/2024 6 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
 Module 2 – Design Process
Estimation of Strength
Following procedure is adopted to estimate the resistance of the structure.

❑ Design yield strength of the material is taken as

target constant value assured by quality control
during construction using random sampling
method.
❑ No consideration is given to variability of the yield
strength or probability of strength occurring below
the target strength.
❑ Allowable stresses are taken as fraction of yield
stress as shown in figure.
❑ Design allowable stresses for each component is considered individually such as axial, bending, shear,
torsion, and hoop with a suitable factor of safety for each.
❑ Due consideration is given to local and global buckling, torsional buckling of members in the calculation
of allowable stresses.
❑ No global factor of safety is applied to the structure and no probability of failure is obtained.

10/31/2024 7 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
 Module 2 – Design Process
ASD DESIGN PROCEDURE
Design using ASD method is adopted as follows.

❑ Design loads are taken as the maximum load that may occur during the life of the structure using
historical data. Effect of these loads on structures are calculated using the basic elastic principles of
mechanics.
❑ Structure resistance is calculated using the design strength of materials (target) as capacity of structural
elements. Allowable stresses for each category of resistance such as axial tension, axial compression,
bending inplane, bending out-of plane and shear are obtained as the fraction of yield stresses. These
fractions are proportional to the factor of safety (FOS) for each case.
❑ Design is deemed to be satisfied when design resistance is greater than the load effects.
Fy
 f (axial,bending,shear and hoop)
FOS
❑ The combined effect of loads is obtained using interaction of these loads in an appropriate manner using
axial, bending, hoop and shear interaction formulae.

10/31/2024 8 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Load and Resistance Factor Design
Following procedure is adopted in the LRFD method.
❑ Design Loads (Demand)
Loads are estimated based on probability of exceedence using characteristic distribution of
each type of load. The design loads are estimated by multiplying nominal loads by the load
factors corresponding to the probability of exceedence. The method of calculation of load effects
are very similar to the ASD
Design Load= f(nominal load, load factor)=nominal load*load factor
❑ Resistance (Capacity)
The resistance of the structure is evaluated using the characteristic values of strength
parameters such as yield strength, fabrication tolerances using probability based approach.
The design resistance factors are obtained using probability distribution.
Design Resistance = f(Strength, Resistance factor)=strength/resistance factor

Design is deemed safe when Resistance > Design Load effects !

10/31/2024 9 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
 Module 2 – Design Process
Probability distribution of Load and Resistance
The probability distribution of Load effects (Q) and Resistance (R) is shown in figure. The overlapped
portion is indicating exceedence of load effects with resistance. This is note as Probability of failure. Q and R
mean values of load effects and resistance. Even though Q is less than R, the failure is due to spread of load
and resistance effects. More the spread (deviation), the probability of failure is higher. This is indicated by the
standard deviation values of Q and R.
This can be compared to the deterministic values
of load effects (Q) and resistance (R) in ASD
method of design.

The design is considered to be safe when R is

greater than Q. The Factor of safe is defined as
the gap between the R and Q.

Design Margin = R-Q

Overlap

10/31/2024 10 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
RELIABILITY INDEX ()
 depends on the load effect “Q” and the resistance “R” and their probability distributions. It represents how
confident we are in our decision that the resistance of the material is higher than the load effects. For a normal
distribution, the design margin can be written as

Z = R −Q
Z = R − Q
 Z2 =  R2 −  R2

= Z
Z
 (  ) = Probablity of failure

10/31/2024 11 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
 Module 2 – Design Process
LIMIT STATES
Limit state is defined as a state of the structure that cease to perform its intended function for which it is
designed. In offshore structures, limit states can be classified into following categories.

❑ Ultimate Limit State (ULS) – This limit state defines the strength requirement for the successful
performance of structure to satisfy the functional requirements.
❑ Fatigue Limit State (FLS) – This limit state defines the fatigue requirement for the performance of the
structure for the design life without deterioration.
❑ Serviceability Limit State (SLS) – This limit state defines the serviceability requirements such as
deflection, vibration etc. for the successful performance of the structure.
❑ Accidental Limit State (ALS) – This limit state defines the accidental cases of loads arising from fire,
blast and impact from vessels.

Each limit state is provided with loads and resistance factors to account for the variability and corresponding
partial safety factors and load factors are used to determine the safety of the structure.

10/31/2024 12 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Estimation of Design load and its effects
Following procedure is adopted to estimate the design loads and to compute the effects loads on the
structure.
❑ Nominal Loads are estimated based on historical information and data collected. These data is
then used to derive the characteristic probability density and exceedance values are then estimated
using probability theory. Load factor is computed for the given probability of exceedance.
❑ Design loads are then calculated by multiplying the nominal load with the load factor.
❑ Each load category is assigned with individual load factor thus allowing different variation for
each load type. For example, dead loads are given lower load factor when compared to
environmental and live loads. Design Load = Nominal Load *
❑ Response of the structure is evaluated using the same principle as that of the ASD method except
that the load combinations are based on load factors. For example;
1.3 * Dead Load + 1.5 * Live Load
1.3 * Dead Load + 1.5 * Live Load + 1.2 * Environmental Load
1.1 * Dead Load + 0.9 * Seismic Load

10/31/2024 13 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Estimation of Resistance
Following procedure is adopted to estimate the resistance of the structure.
❑ Design yield strength of the material is obtained by probability theory of exceedance below the target value
using characteristic distribution. Resistance factors for each load category is obtained
❑ These resistance factors are multiplied by the nominal resistance to obtain the design resistance.
Design Resistance = Nominal Resistance /
❑ Following resistance factor are recommended by API RP 2A LRFD

Loading Type Resistance Factor ()

Axial Tension 1.05

Axial Compression 1.18
Bending 1.05
Shear 1.05*
Hoop Buckling 1.25
Connections (Joints) 1.00

10/31/2024 14 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
LRFD DESIGN PROCEDURE
Design using LRFD method is adopted as follows.

❑ Load factors () and resistance factors () are selected for each type of load and strength parameters.
❑ Nominal loads and resistance for each set of load combination is obtained from data and design
requirements.
❑ Design loads and resistance is obtained by multiplying the nominal loads and resistance by load and
resistance factors respectively.
❑ Design is deemed to be satisfied when design resistance is greater than the load effects.
Rn
 Qn

❑ The load and resistance factors for each type of load is applied depending on the combination of loads.
f (R1 / 1, R2 / 2 , R3 / 3 ,...)  f (Q11, Q2 2 , Q3 3 ,...)
❑ The above expression is evaluated for both structure component and system so that a probability of
failure is obtained with respect to the selected load and resistance factors.

10/31/2024 15 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
API RP 2A LRFD 2nd Edition 2019

10/31/2024 16 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
API RP 2A LRFD 2nd Edition 2019

10/31/2024 17 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Load category, Factors and combinations
Load category and the corresponding load factors are listed below
• D1 – Dead Load 1, e.g. Self weight • Dead Load: 0.9 to 1.3
• D2 – Dead Load 2, e.g. equipment weight • Variable Load: 1.3 – 1.5
• L1 – Live Load 1, e.g. weight of fluids • Environmental load: 1.3 – 1.4
• L2 – Live Load 2, e.g. operating forces
• We – Extreme wind, wave and current loads
• Wo – Operating wind, wave and current loads
• Dn – Inertial Load correspond to Wo

Load combinations and the associated load factors required as per API RP 2A LRFD
• Factored gravity loads
•1.3D1 + 1.3D2 + 1.5L1 + 1.5L2
• Wind, wave and current loads
• 1.1D1 + 1.1D2 + 1.1L1 + 1.35(We + 1.25Dn)
• 0.9D1 + 0.9D2 + 0.8L1 + 1.35(We + 1.25Dn)
•1.3D1 + 1.3D2 + 1.5L1 + 1.5L2 + 1.2(Wo + 1.25Dn)
• Earthquake
•1.1D1 + 1.1D2 + 1.1L1 + 0.9E
•0.9D1 + 0.9D2 + 0.8L1 + 0.9E
10/31/2024 18 Dr. S. Nallayarasu
Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Comparison of ASD and LRFD a beam column design with uniformly
distributed lateral load and axial load
❑ Design lateral Load = w kN/m
❑ Axial Load = P kN
❑ Span = L m
❑ Self Wight =  kN/m
❑ Yield Strength = Fy MPa
Applied  1P +  2  L  3 wL2
fa = fb =
P + L
stresses A 2
Applied fa =
wL2
fb =
stresses A 2 Allowable Axial Fc = c Fy c = 0.85
stress
Allowable Axial Fa = 1Fy 1  0.6
Allowable
stress Fb = b Fy b = 0.95
Bending
Allowable
Fb = 2Fy 2  0.66 stress fc f
Bending + b  1.0
stress Interaction c Fy b Fy
fa fb
Interaction +  1.0 1 and 2 are to be computed including the
Fa Fb buckling and slenderness effects. 1, 2 and 3
1 and 2 are to be computed including are load factors 1.5, 1.3 and 1.5 respectively
the buckling and slenderness effects for live, dead and wind loads
10/31/2024 19 Dr. S. Nallayarasu
Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process

Design life and selection of

design parameters for fixed
and offshore structures

10/10/2024 20 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process

Design wind, wave and current

selection

10/10/2024 21 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Design Wind Speed
Design wind speed shall be selected based on the following conditions.

Operation : Maximum wind speed that may be permitted during operation of a

facility

Survival : Maximum wind speed that may occur during its lifetime based on
acceptable probability of failure.

10/10/2024 22 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Exposure Categories
Platform exposure can be categorized in to three types based on
life safety and consequences of failure.

Exposure Life Safety Failure Consequences

category
L-1 Manned – Non- High
evacuated
L-2 Manned - Evacuated Medium
L-3 Unmanned Low
❑ The exposure category to be used for the design of the platform
shall be based on most critical from life safety and failure
consequences.

❑ During the design life of the platform, exposure category can be

modified based on operational data at that time.

20/9/202 Dr. S. Nallayarasu

23
0 Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology
Module 2 – Design Process
Life Safety Categories
❑ L-1 Manned Non-evacuated : The platform such as process or
living quarters platform occupied by personnel for the operation of
the platform is classified under this category. It may not be possible
to evacuate the personnel from the platform due to practical
reasons or it is not intended due to operational requirements.

❑ L-2 Manned Evacuated : The platform used for non-production purposes

such as water injection, or non-critical processing platforms can be classified
in to this category. In case of design environmental event, platform can be
shut down and evacuation is feasible. Some process platforms can also come
under this category as the design can be planned for shutdown in case of
emergency.

❑ L-3 Unmanned : Remote wellhead platforms or satellite platforms connected

to processing platform in the field comes under this category. Normally no
manning is required as all the operations can be controlled from the process
platform or from the control centre on land. This type of platform may have
day shelters for visitors occasionally.
20/9/2020 24 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of
Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Failure Consequence Categories
❑ L-1 High Consequences : Major process platform or large well
platform with no planned shut down during design environmental
event comes under this category. Further, platforms connected
with large trunk pipelines with for transporting oil or gas to the
land shall be included under this group.

❑ L-2 Medium Consequences : Wellhead Platforms planned for shut down

during design event will be coming under this category. Normally provided
with subsea control valves for isolation and will have provision to shut the
wells. No oil storage will be available in such platforms.

❑ L-3 Low Consequences : Minimum platform structures planned for

marginal field can be grouped under this category. Normally planned to shut
during any design event. Such remotely operated platforms will have
certified subsea valves to isolate the platform from subsea pipeline
connection to the other platforms thus reducing the spread of risk to other
platforms.
20/9/2020 25 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of
Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
DESIGN LIFE
Design life of RC and Steel structures is an important factor that needs to be considered as it
will affect the construction and maintenance costs. The material selection, scheme and its
protection against corrosion, deterioration and method of construction depends on the life of the
system required. Following design life is generally adopted for various classes of structures.

Type of facility Design Life Reference

Construction enabling structures 5 years National building code vol 1
All general building and structures 50 years National building code vol 1
Important building and power plant 100 years National building code vol 1
Coastal Structures 50 years Note below

Note : Normally ports and harbor structures are designed for a design life of 50 years. However, facilities of national
importance (Naval base) are designed for a minimum design life of 100 years.

30 July 2021 26 Prof. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
RISK MATRIX

Categor
Risk
y
Very
<10-1
High

High <10-2

Medium >10-4

Low >10-5

Very
>10-7
low

7/23/2021 27
Module 2 – Design Process
DESIGN LIFE Vs RETRUN PERIOD

Return
Design life Encounter
period Remarks
(Years) probability
(Years)
1 0.22 4
2 0.22 8
5 0.22 20
10 0.22 40
15 0.22 60
20 0.22 80
25 0.22 100

7/23/2021 28
Module 2 – Design Process
PROBABILITY OF EXCEEDANCE

The encounter probability can be calculated using the following

relationship
T 
pc = 1 − exp  L 
Where  TR 
TR - Return period of environmental load
TL - Design life of the structure

The return period can be calculated using the following relationship

−TL
TR =
Where ln (1 − pc )
pc - Probability of exceedance or encounter probability

The relationship between the return period of environmental load

and the design life is shown in figure 3 for different values of
encounter probability from 1% to 63%. It can be observed that if
the design life and the return period of the environmental load are
the same, say 100 years; the encounter probability is 0.63 (63%).
Similarly, suppose the encounter probability is set at a value of 5%
(95% confidence as usually taken for most structural design
purposes). In that case, the return period of environmental load
shall be 500 years for a design life of 25 years.

7/23/2021 29
Module 2 – Design Process
SELECTION DESIGN WAVE

BS 6349 – MARITIME STRUCTURES

7/23/2021 30
Module 2 – Design Process
Short Term Sea State
Short Term Sea state describes the sea surface variation during a storm typically
over a period of 3 hours. From the measured records of sea surface elevation,
wave statistics such as Hmax, Hrms, Hs and associated periods can be calculated.
However, this represents only short term wave climate.

This may not represent the design wave for the offshore structure as the
structures will be required to survive the future years. This may depend on the
design life of the platform. Hence, from the short term wave statistics, long term
wave parameters needs to be obtained.

This can be done using wave prediction using Gumbel extreme value distribution
(Type I).

20/9/2020 31 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of

Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Long Term Sea State
Long Term Sea state describes the sea surface variation during longer exposure
period typically a year. From the measured records of sea surface elevation, wave
statistics such as Hmax, Hrms, Hs and associated periods can be calculated. The
joint distribution of wave height, period and direction will be used to describe the
sea state in terms of wave scatter data.

The measured time history of wave record typically for a year can also be used for
fatigue analysis for repeated cyclic loading.

Usually it is assumed that the annual exceedance data for each year will be
repeated. This may not be true though such assumptions are made in the design
process.

20/9/2020 32 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of

Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Encounter Probability (Probability of exceedance)

Encounter probability is required to determine the probability associated with the

risk of consideration of the design loads. It can be calculated using
 DL 
P ( E ) = 1 − exp  −
Where  T 
 R 
L - Design lifetime
TR - Return Period of environment DL
TR =
For Example ln (1 − P( E ) )
- Design lifetime = 30years
- Assume 10% chance that the design wave is exceeded once
- Return period of the environment can be estimated
 DL   30 
E = 0.1 = 1 − exp  − = 1 − exp  − 
 T   T 
 R  R
TR  284 years
20/9/2020 33 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of
Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Return Period Vs Encounter Probabaility Vs Design Life

20/9/2020 34 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of

Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Return Period Vs Encounter Probabaility Vs Design Life
Return period for specific encounter probability can be calculated for 30 years
design life and 10 years design life extension as illustrated in the table below.
DL 100 50 30 20 10 5

Pe TR TR TR TR TR TR
0.00001 9999950 4999975 2999985 1999990 999995 499997
0.0001 999950 499975 299985 199990 99995 49997
0.001 99950 49975 29985 19990 9995 4997
0.01 9950 4975 2985 1990 995 497
0.1 949 475 285 190 95 47
0.2 448 224 134 90 45 22
0.259 334 167 100 67 33 17
0.3 280 140 84 56 28 14
0.4 196 98 59 39 20 10
0.5 144 72 43 29 14 7
0.6 109 55 33 22 11 5
0.7 83 42 25 17 8 4
0.8 62 31 19 12 6 3
0.9 43 22 13 9 4 2
1 5 2 1 1 0 0

20/9/2020 35 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of

Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
Design Wave Heights
The design wave height for various regions is tabulated below
Region 1 year 100 year Maximum
Bay of Bengal 11 23 design waves in
Gulf of Mexico 12 24 various regions
South China Sea 11 24
Arabian Sea 8 18
Gulf of Thailand 6 12
Persian Gulf 5 12
North sea 14 22

API RP2A requires both 1 year and 100 year recurrence wave shall be used for
the design of jacket and piles. Appropriate combination of loads with these
waves shall be used in the design. A one-third increase in permissible stress is
allowed for 100 year storm conditions.

20/9/2020 36 Dr. S. Nallayarasu Department of

Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology
Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
PROBABILITY OF EXCEEDANCE
The encounter probability can be calculated using the following
relationship
T 
pc = 1 − exp  L 
 TR 
Where
TR - Return period of environmental load
TL - Design life of the structure

The return period can be calculated using the following relationship

−TL
TR =
ln (1 − pc )
Where
pc - Probability of exceedance or encounter probability

The relationship between the return period of environmental load and the
design life is shown in figure 3 for different values of encounter probability from
1% to 63%. It can be observed that if the design life and the return period of
the environmental load are the same, say 100 years; the encounter probability is
0.63 (63%). Similarly, suppose the encounter probability is set at a value of 5%
(95% confidence as usually taken for most structural design purposes). In that
case, the return period of environmental load shall be 500 years for a design life
of 25 years.

9/23/2023 37 Prof. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
DESIGN LIFE Vs RETURN PERIOD

Return
Design life Encounter
period Remarks
(Years) probability
(Years)
1 0.22 4
2 0.22 8
5 0.22 20
10 0.22 40
15 0.22 60
20 0.22 80
25 0.22 100

9/23/2023 38 Prof. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
SELECTION DESIGN
WAVE

9/23/2023 39 Prof. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
SELECTION OF DESIGN ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS – ROCK STRUCTURES

Parameter Design action Structure Performance Remarks

Operational

Wave Height Not specified No damage

Wind Speed Not specified No damage

Current Not specified No damage

Survival

Wave Height Hs – 100 Return Period Min damage Damage level to

finalised by Owner as it
Wind Speed Vw – 100 Return Period Min damage is part of maintenance
cost
Probability > 39%
Current Uc – 100 Return Period Min damage

9/23/2023 40 Prof. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36
Module 2 – Design Process
SELECTION OF DESIGN ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS – PILED STRUCTURES

Parameter Design action Structure Performance Remarks

Operational

Wave Height Hs – 1 Return Period Within Code Provisions Damage level to finalised
by Owner as it is part of
Wind Speed Vw – 1 Return Period Within Code Provisions maintenance cost
Probability > 100%
Current Uc – 1 Return Period Within Code Provisions

Extreme

Wave Height Hs – 100 Return Period Within Code Provisions Damage level to finalised
by Owner as it is part of
Wind Speed Vw – 100 Return Period Within Code Provisions maintenance cost
Probability > 39%
Current Uc – 100 Return Period Within Code Provisions

9/23/2023 41 Prof. S. Nallayarasu

Department of Ocean Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras-36