Design of Offshore Concrete Gravity Platforms

Abstract

This technical note reviews the design parameters employed in the design of offshore concrete gravity platforms for the storage of crude oil and gas in the oil and gas industry. Manufacturing and construction methods are discussed. Current trends in construction are also mentioned. The paper carefully illustrates how the principal Environmental loads (wind and wave), current forces, loads from ice and loads from earth-quake for (earth-quake prone zones) are deployed to archive the design and construction of oshore concrete gravity platforms. Two design methods (Analysis and Design of Shell structures) and the Tangent Modulus Methods of design of Oshore Concrete Gravity platforms are discussed. Finally, foundation design of Oshore Concrete Gravity Platforms, the advantages of concrete offshore structures over steel platform are discussed The paper is concluded with an example problem by the author to demonstrate the response of concrete gravity platforms to wave loading.