Wave induced vibrations of gravity platforms: a stochastic theory

This paper presents a consistent stochastic method to evaluate wave induced vibrations of offshore platforms with special emphasis on gravity type structures. The wavy sea surface is idealized as a stationary and homogeneous stochastic Gaussian (or semi-Gaussian) field. The wave loading processes are treated by applying the concepts of probabilistic potential theory and the stochastic linearization method. The structure is modelled according to the finite element method using boundary spring-dashpot elements to idealize the soil-foundation system. The linearized equations of motion are solved by the frequency response method accounting properly for the temporal and spatial structure of waves as well as for time dependent system function. Numerical results for a 170m high concrete platform are presented including a parametric study of effects due to the shape of the wave spectral density.