Hysteretic modelling of tubular members and offshore platforms

• Published in: Engineering structures Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 93 - 101
• Main Authors: Kayvani, K., Barzegar, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.02.1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; buckling; Buildings. Public works; cyclic response; Exact sciences and technology; finite element modelling; Hydraulic constructions; nonlinear analysis; offshore platforms; Offshore structure (platforms, tanks, etc.); tubular members; yielding; finite element modelling; offshore platforms; nonlinear analysis; buckling; yielding; cyclic response; tubular members; Finite element method; Dynamic response; Brace; Tubular construction; Marine platform; Cyclic load; Yield strength; Buckling; Modeling
• ISSN: 0141-0296; 1873-7323
• DOI: 10.1016/0141-0296(95)00062-3

The inelastic cyclic behaviour of tubular members in offshore platforms and the characteristics and limitations of the phenomenological, physical theory and finite element (FE) models for predicting the hysteretic behaviour of braces are reviewed. Then, based on the behavioural characteristics of tubular braces and legs, proper modelling procedures are proposed and conventional beam-column finite elements are used to simulate the responses of experimental leg and brace members under severe cyclic excursions. A test platform is also analysed under cyclic displacements simulating strong earthquake actions. Based on the comparisons between the FE and test results, optimum mesh sizes and modelling techniques which render realistic response simulations at reasonable computational effort are recommended for FE analyses of offshore tubular members and structures. The FE results for the test brace and platform are also compared with the results of a phenomenological model, and the merits of the proposed FE techniques are discussed.