Structures

Membership has ended in December because the original goals had been achieved and MMS interest in the new FABIG research trend declined significantly.

The original MMS objectives were:

The aim of the symposium was to develop a better understanding of the ice deformation process and the role of ice movements in the atmosphere-ice- ocean-system. The major objective was to bring together the researchers who have made significant by various scales of the study of sea ice and those who have made contributions to the mechanics of sea ice and to establish a common understanding of the processes.

The primary objective of this JIP is to provide test data that may be used to verify the existing and proposed methodology for the determination of wind load on drill rig systems. Based on offshore failures of masts and platforms that have occurred, it is apparent that the likelihood of failure of masts may be higher than that of the surrounding superstructure. It is important that the MMS participate in a JIP that will identify if any structural safety hazards exist with current mast or derrick designs.

To determine the technology of removing large platforms located in deep water. Large California platforms will be used to determine the methods of removal including economic and environmental issues. The report is available.

Conduct model tests to measure the responses of a moor tanker-based FPSO in wave, wind, and current conditions typical of hurricanes and Loop currents in the Gulf of Mexico. The model test data was used to validate various analytical response models of FPSO's, including those developed in the earlier OTRC projects relating to Moored-Tanker-Based FPSO responses.

The offshore industry estimates VIV hydrodynamic forces based on empirical measurements or low-order fluid dynamic models calibrated for shallow water applications. Comparisons of the predicted forces and responses of flexible structures with experimental data reveal the shortcomings of these models, especially in the design of deepwater systems. Hence, the motivation of the proposed research to employ flow-structure interaction methods based on solving the Navier-Stokes and structural dynamics equations of motion to provide predictions of the forces and responses of risers and spars.

The primary object of this research investigation was the development of a new analysis approach to the hydrodynamic modeling of complex fluid-structure interaction phenomena, such as the hydrodynamic interaction of closely spaced risers subject to design seas. Because of the complex nature of the problem, a combined time/frequency domain approach was selected as the basis for the analysis.

This research was designed to advance safety and wet welding technology, materials, and procedures used for underwater fabrication and repair of subsurface facilities and pipelines.

To develop a reliable, industry-wide inspection database and to create detailed inspection guidelines from the database.

The purpose of this agreement between the MMS and OTRC/Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is to conduct research and assessment studies to promote the development of deep water oil and gas resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner and to facilitate the development of technologies for the efficient and pollution free development of deep water oil and gas resources. The mission of the OTRC is to develop knowledge through an academic and research program focused on problems related to the economical exploration and development of deep water resources.