
PLANNING, DESIGNING, AND CONSTRUCTING TENSION LEG PLATFORMS 105
inspection, as outlined in these codes and otherwise, shall be specified for the effects of dynamic loading on
the structural requirements. Every effort during design should be made to ensure that all welds are easily
inspectable. Welds that are difficult to inspect may have been as difficult to weld properly. The use of 3D
modeling in the design phase is recommended for this review.
8.8.6 Elastomeric Materials
Deck structures may be designed as structurally independent modules supported by elastomeric bearing
pads. These pads effectively isolate the deck modules from wave loads acting on the hull while adequately
restraining the modules from platform lateral accelerations and wind loads.
Elastomeric bearings should function normally while experiencing design vertical and horizontal loads
simultaneously. Bearing design should include rotations due to all applicable service loads and movements,
maximum rotations caused by fabrication and installation tolerances, and allowances for uncertainty. Special
consideration should be given for tension conditions since bearings are free to separate under tension loads.
Tensions ties that do not restrict the movements and rotations should be added for tension conditions. Local
damage without catastrophic failure may be acceptable for certain survival loading conditions.
Steel rotational elements (e.g. pots and pistons) should be machined from single pieces of steel. The pot
should be deep enough to permit the seal and piston rim to remain in full contact with the vertical face of the
pot wall under all design loads, movements, and rotations. Contact between metal components shall not
prevent further displacements or rotation. The pot walls should be designed to withstand both the internal
pressures caused by vertical loads (considering the elastomer behaves as a fluid) and horizontal loads.
Guide bars for directional bearing pads should be welded to the slide plates. Bolted connection should not be
permitted. Guide bars should be designed to the specified horizontal loads, but not less than 10% of the
vertical capacity of the bearing. Guided bearing pads should have their contact area within the guide bars for
all operating conditions.
Elastomeric pads (typically neoprene) should be individually molded in one piece. The elastomer should be
plain and not laminated or fiber reinforced. No layering or stacking should be permitted. Cuts, gouges, or
nicks from machine cutting or flash trimming are cause for rejection. Sealing grooves should be molded
integral to the pad and should be square to the pad top surface.
Each elastomeric bearing should be sampled, tested, and inspected to determine the following.
a) The bearing should be loaded to 100 % of its design vertical load and simultaneously cycled to its design
displacement by means of a horizontally placed actuator. Coefficient of friction values should be
determined from measurements taken on the first and last cycles.
b) The bearing should be cycled between 50 % and 150 % of its design vertical load while simultaneously
under maximum design rotation. The bearing should then be loaded to 150 % of its design vertical load
and held for a duration of at least 30 minutes. The bearing should be inspected for evidence of proper
elastomer performance (e.g. no leakage). The bearing should be disassembled after the test for
inspection of all inner components.
c) The bearing should be loaded to 100 % of its design vertical load and 125 % of its design horizontal load.
Guided bearings should be loaded such that the guide bar is situated perpendicular to the direction of
load application. The bearing and guide bar should be inspected for proper performance. The bearing
should be disassembled for inspection of the pot wall and piston face.
d) Installation procedures should include an allowance for tops of columns being slightly out of level and
flatness. This may be compensated by injecting epoxy between the bottom plate of the elastomeric
bearing and the top of column.
Copyright American Petroleum Institute
Provided by IHS under license with API
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Not for Resale, 01/31/2011 00:10:44 MST
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