The aim of this paper was to develop practical modelling techniques for the structural crashworthiness analysis in collisions between a fixed-type offshore platform and an offshore supply vessel (OSV). The computational models used nonlinear finite element method involving large deformations (strains) of both vessel and offshore platform, dynamic effects of material (e.g., strain rate and dynamic fracture strain), and the influence of surrounding waters. The applicability of the modelling techniques was demonstrated with an applied example to collisions between an OSV and a jacket-type offshore platform, where a sensitivity analysis was carried out for different collision parameters (e.g., collision velocities and impact locations). It is concluded that the computational models can ultimately be employed for quantitative risk assessment of fixed-type offshore structures collided with an OSV, which requires to perform the structural crashworthiness analysis.
The structural crashworthiness analysis involving buckling, plasticity, crushing, and fracture with the strainrate effects is required to evaluate the characteristics of structural deformations and impact energy dissipation at the event of collisions between ships or offshore platforms and icebergs. The constitutive equations of both steels and ice materials should be characterised for numerical computations as the collision impact energy is dissipated by the two colliding and deformable bodies, namely not only ships or offshore platforms but also icebergs. The primary objective of the present study is to examine ice properties and propose a constitutive equation of ice materials which shall be implemented into nonlinear finite element method computations of the structural crashworthiness associated with the collisions. Previous studies are first surveyed in terms of the influencing parameters as the many uncertainties involved make the problem highly complex. The parameters affecting the mechanical properties of ice materials are then discussed. In addition to referencing the existing test database associated with the mechanical properties of ice materials, a new test database is obtained by laboratory testing of the authors' group. Based on findings from the existing and the new test database, a new constitutive equation used for ice materials is proposed associated with quasi-static and impact responses.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.