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Collaborating Authors
Results
The Design of Subsea Foundations Subject to General Cyclic Loading Using a Massively Scalable Web Based Application
Doherty, James (Uni. of Western Australia, Fugro) | Krisdani, Henry (Fugro GeoConsulting) | O'Neill, Michael (Fugro GeoConsulting) | Erbrich, Carl (Fugro GeoConsulting) | Bransby, Fraser (Fugro GeoConsulting) | White, David (Uni of Southampton, Fugro) | Randolph, Mark (Uni of Western Australia, Fugro)
Abstract Subsea developments require the design of large numbers of shallow skirted foundations to support structures such as manifolds, pipeline and umbilical terminations and in-line tees. Safe and economic design relies on the accurate assessment of foundation capacity against thousands of load-combinations. Performing these design calculations is a significant computational task. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how new developments in cloud computing can be utilized to optimize foundation design. Engineering design is no longer limited by computing power thanks to the introduction of low-cost on-demand cloud computing platforms. This paper describes a massively scalable cloud based application for rapidly assessing the vertical-horizontal-moment-torsional capacity of shallow skirted foundations against thousands of cyclic load case combinations that arise from numerous environmental and service conditions. The detrimental effect of cyclic loading and the beneficial effect of consolidation on soil strength are incorporated within a single workflow. It is shown that cloud technologies can radically improve traditional engineering design procedures, allowing engineers to focus on the innovative and creative aspects of their work, while the tasks of preparing, executing and documenting calculations become near instantaneous and more easily assessed for quality assurance. More critically, the technology allows rapid and rigorous optimization of the foundation dimensions to achieve the most cost-effective solution that satisfies all load cases. The scalability of the application allows multiple users to run large numbers of calculations simultaneously across a virtually unlimited number of computer nodes. The system can be accessed through a standard web browser and can run simulations on any internet-connected device. Results are saved in the cloud and can be accessed anywhere and shared among colleagues, enhancing collaboration and quality assurance. The approach results in demonstrably superior design outcomes, achieved more quickly. This paper presents what is believed to be the world's first web based application for shallow foundation design that exploits the availability of low cost on-demand cloud computing services. The paper will explain some of the challenges in implementing such a system and provide examples. We believe this type of technology represents the future for geotechnical design work, providing better design in a more efficient manner.
- Europe (0.47)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.28)
- Information Technology > Cloud Computing (1.00)
- Information Technology > Communications > Web (0.35)
Abstract Rectangular mudmat foundations for subsea structures are commonly designed according to ISO and API guidelines. However, the modern trend towards deeper waters and heavier structures is currently challenging traditional approaches to foundation design, especially in presence of particularly poor soil conditions. The intrinsic conservatism carried by design codes may not only lead to higher fabrication/installation costs, but also conflict with the operational limits of existing installation vessels. Based on the analysis of four design cases, it is argued that ISO/API safety factors may be from 1.5 to 2.3 times as low as the predictions of elastoplastic finite element (FE) simulations. Such a conservatism is also found to considerably increase with the embedment depth, whereas the influence of the foundation aspect ratio is nearly negligible. A simple calculation example shows that the systematic use of numerical analysis in design may result in a 47% reduction of the total foundation area, and an overall decrease in fabrication costs of approximately 16%.
- Europe (0.69)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.28)
This paper presents a toolbox for optimizing geotechnical design of subsea foundations. The geotechnical design challenge of subsea shallow foundations is to withstand greater dead and operational loads on soft seabeds without increasing the footprint size or weight. The motivation is to reduce costs associated with installation – for example eliminating the need for a heavy-lift vessel to place foundation units alone if handling limits of pipe-laying vessels are exceeded – whilst providing acceptable in-service reliability. The tools presented focus on prediction of undrained seabed response and are intended for deep water developments on fine grained seabeds, as this scenario presents a significant challenge in terms of minimizing subsea foundation footprints. The toolbox addresses optimization of geotechnical subsea foundation performance through four aspects: (i) optimizing the analysis methodology, (ii) modifying the foundation configuration, (iii) improving the site characterisation data as input to the design, and (iv) altering the basis of design. The research presented derives from a combination of physical model testing in a geotechnical centrifuge, numerical analysis and theoretical modelling. The methods, procedures and processes are presented in terms of design equations, theoretical frameworks or design charts, many of which are freely available as web-based applications. Worked examples throughout the paper demonstrate the efficiencies in terms of footprint area to be realized through adoption of these tools.
- Europe (1.00)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.67)
- Research Report > New Finding (0.46)
- Research Report > Experimental Study (0.46)
- Reservoir Description and Dynamics (1.00)
- Facilities Design, Construction and Operation > Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers > Offshore pipelines (1.00)
- Facilities Design, Construction and Operation > Offshore Facilities and Subsea Systems (1.00)
- Data Science & Engineering Analytics > Information Management and Systems (1.00)