Comparative study of broadband damage localization methods applied to test data

This application-oriented paper presents comparison of various broadband frequency based structural damage localization indices using experimental data from a full-scale structure known as the I-40 Bridge. First, three ‘damage-sensitive’ response parameters determined in the time and/or spectral domain, modal domain and wavelet domain are presented for damage localization in the context of a ‘non-model-based’ damage identification approach. Secondly, experimental modal data (namely natural frequencies, mode shapes and modal damping) obtained from this full-scale bridge subjected to various damage conditions is employed for assessment of the robustness of these methods on ‘real-world’ applications. Consequently, the results obtained are compared with those obtained from existing resonance frequency based damage identification methods. The results obtained demonstrate the improved capability of the broadband methods to localize damage in a full-scale structure despite sparse modal information and limited measurement grid points.     

Damage identification in a ship’s structure using neural networks

Visual inspection of large and complex structures such as a ship is difficult and costly due to problems of accessibility. In this paper, a neural network technique is developed for identifying the damage occurrence in the side shell of a ship’s structure. The side shell is modeled as a stiffened plate. The input to the network is the autocorrelation function of the vibration response of the structure. The response was obtained using a finite element model of the structure. The output is a single function , which was formed by adding together the damping and a part of the restoring forces. The function is used to identify not only the damage occurrence in the model but also its extent and location. The results show that the method presented in this work is successful in identifying the occurrence of damage. The detection of the extent and location of damage is promising, however, more work has to be done in this area.     

Time domain prediction approach for cross-flow VIV induced fatigue damage of steel catenary riser near touchdown point

Previous steel catenary riser (SCR) models targeted for VIV prediction are truncated at touchdown point (TDP) where simple constrain and rotation stiffness are generally applied. In this study, a time domain approach accounting for the SCR–soil interaction is proposed to predict the cross-flow (CF) VIV induced fatigue damage of a SCR near TDP. The hydrodynamic force is simulated based on the forced vibration test data as a function of the non-dimensional amplitude and frequency, and an empirical damping model. When the non-dimensional frequency associated with the calculated frequency falls in the excitation region, the natural frequency closer to the frequency corresponding to the maximum excitation force is taken to be the dominant frequency, and applied to obtain the excitation force. The SCR–soil interaction model takes into account the trench shape, and the mobilization and release of the soil suction. Fatigue damage is linearly accumulated by using the rain-flow counting methodology. To validate the proposed models, simulation for a riser model test is carried out, and the envelopes of RMS displacement, curvature, and fatigue damage are compared. Further works focus on the sensitivity of VIV induced fatigue damage near TDP to the seabed parameters, such as mudline shear strength, shear strength gradient and soil suction, and some conclusions are obtained.     

Identification of the excitation and reaction forces on offshore platforms using the random decrement technique

This paper describes a method to identify the parameters of the dynamic model of a fixed offshore platform subjected to wind-generated random waves using its stationary response. The structure is modeled as a single degree of freedom system. The parameters identified are the damping coefficient, the natural frequency, and the excitation. In addition, the moment and force acting on the foundation are also identified. The method uses the random decrement signature as a tool to identify the parameters in the equation of motion. Excellent agreements were obtained between the predicted and actual values of the parameters as well as for the reaction and moment at the platform's foundation. The method can be applied without any interruption to the operation of the offshore structure. The method is easy to apply, and uses inexpensive motion measurement instruments. The estimated force and moment can be used as a tool for an on-line foundation check.     

An Experimental Study on A Trapezoidal Pendulum Wave Energy Converter in Regular Waves

Experimental studies were conducted on a trapezoidal pendulum wave energy converter in regular waves. To obtain the incident wave height, the analytical method (AM) was used to separate the incident and reflected waves propagating in a wave flume by analysing wave records measured at two locations. The response amplitude operator (RAO), primary conversion efficiency and the total conversion efficiency of the wave energy converter were studied; furthermore, the power take-off damping coefficients corresponding to the load resistances in the experiment were also obtained. The findings demonstrate that the natural period for a pendulum wave energy converter is relatively large. A lower load resistance gives rise to a larger damping coefficient. The model shows relatively higher wave energy conversion efficiency in the range of 1.0?1.2 s for the incident wave period. The maximum primary conversion efficiency achieved was 55.5%, and the maximum overall conversion efficiency was 39.4%.     

Cross-Flow VIV-Induced Fatigue Damage of Deepwater Steel Catenary Riser at Touch-Down Point简

A prediction model of the deepwater steel catenary riser VIV is proposed based on the forced oscillation test data, taking into account the riser-seafloor interaction for the cross-flow VIV-induced fatigue damage at touch-down point （TDP）. The model will give more reasonable simulation of SCR response near TDP than the previous pinned truncation model. In the present model, the hysteretic riser-soil interaction model is simplified as the linear spring and damper to simulate the seafloor, and the damping is obtained according to the dissipative power during one periodic riser-soil interaction. In order to validate the model, the comparison with the field measurement and the results predicted by Shear 7 program of a full-scale steel catenary riser is carried out. The main induced modes, mode frequencies and response amplitude are in a good agreement. Furthermore, the parametric studies are carried out to broaden the understanding of the fatigue damage sensitivity to the upper end in-plane offset and seabed characteristics. In addition, the fatigue stress comparison at TDP between the truncation riser model and the present full riser model shows that the existence of touch-down zones is very important for the fatigue damage assessment of steel catenary riser at TDP.     

Heat shock protein expression pattern (HSP70) in the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

We previously reported evidence of increased levels of DNA damage in the hydrothermal mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus, which suggested that the species was not fully resistant to the natural toxicity of its deep-sea vent environment. In the present study, HSP70 was used as a biomarker of sub-cellular stress. Differences in HSP70 expression pattern were observed between vent sites, typified by different depths/toxicity profiles, and between different mussel tissue types. A comparison of specimens collected by remote operated vehicle (ROV) and acoustically-operated cages showed that less stress (as indicated by changes in HSP70 levels) was induced by the faster cage recovery method. Therefore alternatives to ROV collection should be considered when planning experiments involving live deep sea organisms. Significantly, a positive correlation was found between the levels of DNA strand breakage, as measured using the Comet assay, and HSP70 expression pattern; evidence was also obtained for the constitutive expression of at least one HSP isoform which was located within the cell nucleus.     

深水脐带缆结构阻尼的数值与试验研究

深水动态脐带缆内部结构复杂,其阻尼特性对脐带缆的舞动以及疲劳损伤有着重要的影响。脐带缆在和流体相互作用过程中,脐带缆内部构件可能会产生滑动,进而影响脐带缆的结构阻尼,这也使得真实海况中脐带缆的舞动和疲劳是一项复杂而值得深入研究的课题。为验证有限元模型能够很好地模拟脐带缆的结构阻尼特性,在考虑内部结构单元间摩擦的基础上,利用ANSYS建立了用于中国南海某油田的脐带缆多层滑移接触摩擦模型。同时,采用自由衰减法对该动态脐带缆开展了原型试验,测得了该缆的结构阻尼比与自振周期。通过对比有限元模型计算结果与原型试验结果发现：数值模型获得的该脐带缆的结构阻尼值与试验值非常接近,这为工程中获得脐带缆结构阻尼比的值提供了好的方向。     

Low-frequency damping of a moored semisubmersible obtained from simulated extinction tests and mean wave drift forces

Low-frequency damping of a moored semisubmersible drilling platform was obtained from numerical extinction tests simulated in still water and in regular waves and from mean wave drift forces calculated at zero forward speed. The influence of drag forces was represented by the modified Morison equation. The platform as used for the 18th ITTC Comparative Mooring Study was analyzed in irregular beam waves. The computed time series of sway as well as the corresponding sway response spectrum compared favourably with model test measurements, demonstrating that this procedure to determine low-frequency damping can be effective.     

Hydrodynamic performance of solid and porous heave plates

Heave plates have been widely utilized in floating offshore structures as they can provide additional damping and added mass to improve the hydrodynamic response of the system. This study investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics (added mass and damping) of oscillatory solid or porous disks using model scale experiments. All experiments were conducted via forced oscillation model tests using a planar motion mechanism (PMM). The hydrodynamic coefficients of the solid or porous disk obtained from the force measurements are analysed and presented. The sensitivities of the damping and added mass coefficients to both motion amplitude and the disk porosity are examined.     

基于谱分析法的超大型浮体疲劳强度分析

运用ANSYS/AQWA对某超大型浮体平台进行水动力响应计算和结构响应分析,在此基础上选择3个典型疲劳热点区域建立有限元子模型,求出各区域的热点应力传递函数。依据谱分析法的疲劳计算流程对危险节点进行疲劳分析,计算疲劳损伤和寿命。分析结果表明,横浪时对平台造成的疲劳损伤最大。横撑与下浮体围壁连接处以及立柱外壳与上箱体底板连接处这两处的疲劳寿命不满足设计要求。建议对该结构连接处进行改进或重新设计。     

Motion response simulation of a twin-hulled semi-submersible

The purpose of the study was to develop a prediction technique to simulate the motion response of a damaged platform under wave, wind and current forces. The equations of motion were obtained using Newton's second law and the numerical solution technique of non-linear equations of motion is explained for intact and damaged cases. The analysis technique employs large displacement non-linear equations of motion. Solutions were obtained in the time-domain to predict the motion characteristics. In this study, analysis procedures were developed to calculate: (a) wave loading on asymmetrical structural configurations; (b) hydrodynamic reaction forces (inertia or moment of inertia, damping and restoring forces) on asymmetrical shapes. During the damage simulation, change in the mass of the structure as well as wave and hydrodynamic reaction forces, were taken into account. The computer program developed for the time-domain simulation is introduced. In order to avoid slowly decaying transient motions of the structure due to wave excitation forces, an exponential ramp function is used. The application of a ramp function enables a quick convergence in the time-domain solution of equations of motion. Results of a numerical motion simulation program and the experimental studies are also presented in order to make comparisons. Comparison of the test results with the numerical simulations shows good agreement for heave, roll and pitch motions. The formulations and the computational procedures given in this paper provide useful tools for the investigation of the non-linear dynamic stability characteristics of floating structures in waves for intact, damaged and post-flooding conditions in six-degrees of freedom.     

Simplified analytical solutions for wave interaction with absorbing-type caisson breakwaters

Simplified analytical solutions are presented to model the interaction of linear waves with absorbing-type caisson breakwaters, which possess one, or two, perforated or slotted front faces which result in one, or two, interior fluid regions (chambers). The perforated/slotted surfaces are idealized as thin porous plates. Energy dissipation in the interior fluid region(s) inside the breakwater is modelled through a damping function. Under the assumption of potential flow and linear wave theory a boundary-value problem may then be formulated to describe wave interaction with the idealized structure. A solution to this simplified problem may be obtained by an eigenfunction expansion technique and an explicit analytical expression may be obtained for the reflected wave height. Using the experimental work of previous authors, damping coefficients are determined for both single and double chamber absorbing-type caisson breakwaters. Based on the damping for a single perforated-wall breakwater, a methodology is proposed to enable the estimation of the damping coefficients for a breakwater with two chambers. The theoretical predictions of the reflection coefficients for the two-chamber structures using the present model are compared with those obtained from laboratory experiments by other authors. It is found that the inclusion of the damping in the interior fluid region gives rise to improved agreement between theory and experiment.     

Modal Parameters Identification of A Real Offshore Platform From the Response Excited by Natural Ice Loading

This paper investigates the possibility of utilizing response from natural ice loading for modal parameter identification of real offshore platforms. The test platform is the JZ20-2 MUQ jacket platform located in the Liaodong Bay, China. A field experiment is carried out in winter season, as the platform is excited by floating ices. The feasibility is demonstrated by the acceleration response of two different segments. By the SSI-data method, the modal frequencies and damping ratios of four structural modes can be successfully identified from both segments.The estimated information from both segments is almost identical, which demonstrates that the modal identification is trustworthy. Furthermore, by taking the Jacket platform as a benchmark, the numerical performance of five popular time-domain EMA methods is systematically compared from different viewpoints. The comparisons are categorized as:(1) stochastic methods versus deterministic methods;(2) high-order methods versus low-order methods;(3) data-driven versus covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification methods.     

Damage Localization of Offshore Platforms Under Ambient Excitation

In this paper Nondestructive Damage Detection (NDD) for offshore platforms is investigated under operational conditions. As is known, there is no easy way to measure ambient excitation, so damage detection methods based on ambient excitation have become very vital for the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of offshore platforms. The modal parameters (natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes) are identified from structural response data with the Natural Excitation Technique (NExT) in conjunction with the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) . A new method of damage detection is presented, which utilizes the invariance property of element modal strain energy. This method is to assign element modal strain energy to two parts, and defines two damage detection indicators. One is compression modal strain energy change ratio (CMSECR); the other is flexural modal strain energy change ratio (FMSECR). The present modal strain energy is obtained by incomplete modal shape and structural stiffness matr     

Experimental and numerical investigations of monopile ringing in irregular finite-depth water waves

In storm conditions, nonlinear wave loads on monopile offshore wind turbines can induce resonant ringing-type responses. Efficient, validated methods which capture such events in irregular waves in intermediate or shallow water depth conditions are needed for design. Dedicated experiments and numerical studies were performed toward this goal. The extensive experimental campaign at 1:48 scale was carried out for Statoil related to the development of the Dudgeon wind farm, and included both a rigid model and a flexible, pitching-type, single degree-of-freedom model. Twenty 3-hour duration realizations for 4 sea states and 2 water depths were tested for each model. A high level of repeatability in ringing events was observed. Uncertainties in the experimental results were critically examined. The stochastic variation in the 3-hour maximum bending moment at the sea bed was significantly larger than the random variation in repetition tests, and highlighted the need for a good statistical basis in design. Numerical simulations using a beam element model with a modified Morison wave load model and second order wave kinematics gave reasonable prediction of the ringing response of the flexible model, and of the measured excitation forces on the rigid model in the absence of slamming. The numerical model was also used to investigate the sensitivity of the responses with respect to damping and natural period. A simple single degree-of-freedom model was shown to behave similarly to a fully flexible model when considering changes in natural frequency and damping.     

Laboratory and numerical studies of wave damping by emergent and near-emergent wetland vegetation

Wetlands protect mainland areas from erosion and damage by damping waves. Yet, this critical role of wetland is not fully understood at present, and a means for reliably determining wave damping by vegetation in engineering practice is not yet available. Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure wave attenuation resulting from synthetic emergent and nearly emergent wetland vegetation under a range of wave conditions and plant stem densities. The laboratory data were analyzed using linear wave theory to quantify bulk drag coefficients and with a nonlinear Boussinesq model to determine numerical friction factors to better represent wetland vegetation in engineering analysis.     

A practical approach to predicting cross-flow and in-line VIV response for deepwater risers

In this study, a practical model is proposed to predict cross-flow (CF) and in-line (IL) vortex-induced vibrations of a flexible riser in time domain. The hydrodynamic force as a function of non-dimensional amplitude and frequency is obtained from the forced vibration experimental data of a two-dimensional cylinder. An empirical nonlinear damping model is used to simulate the hydrodynamic damping outside the experiment's range. Coupling effect of CF and IL-VIV is taken into account by implanting a magnification model for the IL hydrodynamic force associated with CF amplitude, and by increasing the non-dimensional amplitude corresponding to the IL hydrodynamic coefficient in the second excitation region. The experimental models of flexible riser under the uniform and sheared current are simulated to validate the proposed model. The predicted displacement, curvatures, excited modes and fatigue damage show reasonable agreement with the measured data.     

Reynolds and Mass-Damping Effect on Prediction of the Peak Amplitude of A Freely Vibrating Cylinder

The Reynolds effect and mass-damping effect on the peak amplitude of a freely vibrating cylinder is studied by using forced oscillating data from Gopalkrishnan＇ s research in 1993, in which all experimental cases were carried out at a fixed Reynolds and the tested cylinder was recognized as a body that had no mass and damping. However, the Reynolds and roass-damping are the very important parameters for the peak amplitude of a freely vibrating cylinder. In the present study, a function F is introduced to connect the forced oscillation and free vibration. Firstly the peak amplitude AG^＊ can be obtained from the function F using forced oscillation data of Gopalkrishnan＇ s experimental at Re = 10^4, and then the Reynolds effect is taken into account in the function f（Re）, while the mass-damping effect is considered in the function K（ α ）, where a is the mass-damping ratio. So the peak amplitude of a freely vibrating cylinder can be predicted by the expression： A ^＊ = K（ α ）f（ Re ）AG^＊ . It is found that the peak transverse amplitudes predicted by the above equation agree very well with many recent experimental data under both high and low Reynolds conditions while roass-damping varies. Furthermore, it is seen that the Reynolds number does have a great effect on the peak amplitude of a freely vibrating cylinder. The present idea in this paper can be applied as an update in the empirical models that also use forced oscillation data to predict the vortex induced vibration （VIV） response of a long riser in the frequency domain.