[CIMC RAFFLES]

Leg Towing Analysis report

Prepared - Hamish Forsythe

JU MODU

Page 1

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Contents
1. Executive Summary....................................................................................... 3
2. Method of Analysis........................................................................................ 3
2.1 Criteria...................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Models Description...................................................................................... 4
2.3 Boundary Conditions.................................................................................... 6
2.4 Loading..................................................................................................... 6
2.5 Allowable Stresses..................................................................................... 11
2.6 Result..................................................................................................... 11
References................................................................................................. 12
APPENDIX A............................................................................................... 13
OUTPUT DATA......................................................................................... 14
Model Plot:............................................................................................. 15
Appendix B - Output Plot...........................................................................17
Appendix C - Chord Properties...................................................................20

JU MODU

Page 2

[CIMC RAFFLES]

1. Executive Summary
This particular JU is a jack-up rig with a triangular shaped hull with three triangular layout
truss legs positioned within it.
The purpose of this report is to provide evidence via FE analysis that the legs provide
adequate strength to support the structure during towing in both of the following conditions:
1. field tow (125.3m leg length)
2. ocean tow (112.86m leg length)
The results gained here are sufficient to confirm that the leg strength will support the hull
structure and also that the rack chock rated capacity is not exceeded during any of the towing
conditions.
We can say that the maximum stress compared to the permissible stress never exceeds a ratio
of 0.77 for any towing condition, which is essential as it must stay below 1 at all times.

2. Method of Analysis
The Analysis for this project was completed using the commercial FEA (Finite Element
Analysis) Software SACS Executive 5.3. This software is very efficient at defining truss
sections. Within this software a three dimensional beam-element model was defined via a
general leg arrangement and calculated loads (via NI534_Jackup Rules SI) applied to the
design. This analysis was developed to let us analyse the leg elements under varying towing
conditions. We had to be very careful when defining the loading location as the length of the
leg would vary for the ocean Vs the field towing condition. We only apply the loading over
the section of the leg that lies above the spud can, this would not however make a difference
to the overall result as, all loads i.e. structural weight and inertial force, were applied as
distributed forces along the length of the chord which that towing condition applies I.e. for
field towing, up to 125.3m and for ocean towing, up to 112.86m. (Also model is designed of
weightless members).
The found stresses were then compared against the rule required and allowable values. This
was completed via the SACS 5.3 Analysis system, where, upon ensuring completion of an
accurate model, we can generate a postvue model and determine the maximum UC ratios
within each member group.
Each condition (ocean and field) were analysed for a number of loading conditions, this was
done for the fore leg of the model as well as one of the aft legs.

2.1 Criteria
The analysis for the leg strength has been carried out in accordance with the ABS (American
Bureau of Shipping) MODU (Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit) Rules as well as allowable
stress design criteria.
In order to know what the required stresses are, we need to use the NI534_Jackup Rules SI
and use the equations and the process presented in these rules to calculate our applied loads.
We then use these values to determine if our model is within the ABS MODU Rules.
ABS MODU rules specifies the following criteria for transits in field and ocean conditions:
Field Tow - Leg strength is to be developed to withstand a bending moment caused by a
6single amplitude roll and pitch at the natural period of the unit (11 second) plus 120% of the
gravity moment cause by the angle of inclination of the legs.
JU MODU

Page 3

[CIMC RAFFLES]
Ocean Tow - Leg strength is to be developed to withstand a bending moment caused by a
15single amplitude roll and pitch at a 10 second period plus 120% of the gravity moment
caused by the angle of inclination of the legs.

2.2 Models Description

The model consists entirely of beam elements with the appropriate material and section
properties applied. These section properties include:

The dimensions
Axial area (only for tubular sections)
Moment of inertia around Y and Z axis
Torsional moment of inertia (Y + Z)
Cross section types supported in sacs are:
Tubular
Wide flange
Compact wide flange
Box
Tee
General Prismatic
Channel
Plate Girder
Angle
Cone
Stiffened Box
Stiffened Cylinder

The main side chords are modelled as prismatic sections as they are constructed as a split pipe
with the rack separating it along its local longitudinal axis. According to the leg general
arrangement, at a height of 40704mm above BL the chord changes it's axial area and hence
we insert a different prismatic section here.

JU MODU

Page 4

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Figure 1 - SACS beam-element model

Figure 2 - Typical chord arrangement

JU MODU

Page 5

[CIMC RAFFLES]

2.3 Boundary Conditions

Boundary conditions were applied at the locations on the chords where the legs were
connected to the lower and upper jack-case guide as well as the rack-chock. To simulate the
boundary conditions and appropriate constraints on the leg for towing conditions, the
members connecting to the location of the rack-chock, lower and upper guides were modelled
as a stiff link where the end joint on them was fixed in all directions. This fixidity is defined
in SACS as (111111) where it is constrained in all directions and all rotational axis. The
fixidity at the end of these members connects to the hull. Furthermore the pre-mentioned
joints had proper end releases to simulate load transfer between the leg and the jack cases.
This transfer varies depending on the equipment and the difference is shown below.
The lower/upper guides do not provide any moment restraint, however, the rack chock is
more complex and is able to constrain in both the vertical and lateral directions. The releases
which are applied at the ends connected to the chords are:
Local axis
Lower Guide and Upper Guide
Rack Chock

Dx
1

Dy

Dz

Rx

Ry

Rz

0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
*Note: '1' is a release in the mode and direction as shown in the member's local axis. These
releases are used for both the towing and storm conditions.
Also, D= direction and R = rotation in the above table.

Figure 3 - Fixidity, 111111, at end of connecting chords

2.4 Loading
Load are applied to the model through specific combinations of basic load cases. Each basic
load case is derived from a specific force applied to the structure and these are as follows:
1. Leg dead weight; uniformly distributed load in the vertical direction on each chord. [kN/m]
2. Inclined weight; uniformly distributed load in the lateral direction on each chord [kN/m].
The two basic load-cases separate the longitudinal (x) and transverse (y) load vectors.
3. Lateral inertial load; Uniformly increasing load in the lateral direction on each chord. The
load is derived by setting the starting distribution amplitude to 0[kN/m] at the base of the
model and to a maximum value at the top of the leg. Two basic load cases separate the
longitudinal (x) and transverse (y) load vectors. [kN/m]
4. Vertical inertial load; uniformly distributed load in the vertical direction on each chord.
This simulates the unequal downward from the differing vertical acceleration at each chord.

JU MODU

Page 6

[CIMC RAFFLES]
We apply each of the above loads to both a fore and aft leg, thus giving us a total of eight
basic load cases.
The derivation of load amplitude and position, and their method of application are explained
in the following sections.
The weight of the leg, the depth of the spud can, the full length of the leg and the applied
weight per/m is incredibly important to determining the overall vertical stresses on the
structure as this directly has an effect on all the stresses.
Leg Weight excluding can
Full leg length
Spud can height

5637.48
125.3
4.572

Leg Weight

46.70

Leg weight, as vertical load on each chord

15.57

draft

4.572

Also the calculation of the basic load cases are shown in the figure below:
Load case

direction

description

1 (all chords)
2 (all chords)
3 (chord 1)
4 (chord 2)
5 (chord 3)
6 (all chords)
7 (all chords)
8 (all chords)

x
y
-z
-z
-z
x
y
-z

Longitudinal load due to the pitch

Transversal load due to roll
Vertical load due to pitch or roll
Vertical load due to pitch or roll
Vertical load due to pitch or roll
Longitudinal load due to inclined weight
Transversal load due to inclined weight
Vertical load due to deadweight

JU MODU

Page 7

kN
m
m
kN/
m
kN/
m
m

[CIMC RAFFLES]

The combined load cases are separate for two conditions: field towing and
ocean towing. Each condition as mentioned before has different
requirements in terms of inertial acceleration and natural roll/pitch period.
The accelerations are based upon Figures 4 and 5:

Figure 4 -Figure
Vertical
4.1 - Combined
loading, inertial and inclined
applied on
lateral
all loads - applied on
chords all chords

Figure 4.2 - Total

combined loads
applied to entire leg

Figure 5 - NI534_Jackup Rules parameters for calculation of inertial accelerations and towing loadings

JU MODU

Page 8

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Figure 6 - Jack-up general arrangement, shows yi and xi for the jack-up

The acceleration is calculated at the top of the leg and is applied to each appropriate inertial
load case as the load factor. The vertical loads per chord are also calculated and each chord's
basic load case is appropriately factored.
The method for calculation of all vertical and inertial induced loads are shown below.
Given that we know the ABS requirements for transit towing conditions, we must be able to
apply these in order to calculate the overall loading forces.
We must know the following parameters:
1. angular acceleration for the pitch p and the roll r. these are obtained from the following
formula:
2

R =A R (

2
)
TR

P= A P (

2 2
)
TP

Where A is the roll single amplitude of the unit as defined in the ABS MODU Rules (6
degrees for field tow, 15 degrees for ocean tow). when we apply these values in the above
equation we should convert these values to radians. Also, T is the natural period of the
motion, which we know to be 11s for field tow and 10s for ocean tow for either pitch or roll.
After we have found the above values, we can use the below equations to find:
a) the horizontal load distribution under roll and pitch motion
b) the global forces in upright (only loads induced by pitch motion) and inclined position
(only loads induced by roll motion) for the vertical force induced by the leg to the unit
structure under roll/pitch motion at upper guide level.
JU MODU

Page 9

[CIMC RAFFLES]
a i) Horizontal Load distribution under roll motion:

Fir =p i (1.2 gsin ( A R )+ R zi )

Where;
pi : weight, in tonnes, of an elementary length of leg li. (We can find this via dividing the full
weight of the leg, by the length of the leg).
zi : Distance, in m, measured as shown in Fig. 4.
b i) And, the total vertical force FVP, in kN, induced by the leg under roll is obtained via:

1.2 gcos ( A R ) + R y i
FVR =Pleg
Where;
Pleg : Total weight of the leg, in tonnes
yi : Distance, in m, as shown in Fig. 4.
Similarly for the pitch motion:
a ii) Horizontal Load distribution under pitch motion:

Fip = pi (1.2 gsin ( A P ) + P z i)

b ii) The vertical force FVP can be found from:

1.2 gcos ( P ) + P x i
FVP =Pleg
Where:
xi : Distance, in m, measured as shown in Fig. 4.
The combined load cases are grouped into two part:
1. Field Transit
2. Ocean transit
There are reversals of lateral loading in the longitudinal direction only since the legs are
symmetrical in the transverse direction. The combined load cases are shown in figure 7.
It should also be mentioned that if we apply the full horizontal forces for the whole structure
to each leg, we can set the load condition factor equal to 1/3 seeing as there is three chords.

JU MODU

Page 10

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Figure 7 - Load case names and direction

Figure 8 - Calculation of leg loadings for all conditions

2.5 Allowable Stresses

Allowable stresses are as per the AISC manual of Steel construction ASD codes. Because the
applied loads are instantaneous maximums and are cyclic in nature we can use the 1.3333
factor for the allow stress modifier (AMOD). The chord and racks are 690MPa, the internal
braces are 240MPA. The following general rules for permissible (i.e. UC</=1.0) stresses are
followed: F=Fy/F.S.
where:
Fy = specified minimum yield point or yield strength.
JU MODU

Page 11

[CIMC RAFFLES]
F.S. = factor of safety
For combined loadings F.S. = 1.25 for axial or bending stresses, F.S. = 1.88 for shear stress.
Yield stress
Chord
Internal bracing
Horizontal/diagonal
bracing

Allowable shear
stress
367.0
127.7
191.5

690.0
240.0
360.0

Allowable
axial/bending stress
552.0
192.0
288.0

SACS unit checks for AISC also account for other stress limiters such as unbraced length and
allowable compression loads.

2.6 Result
Horizontal braces
K-brace
Chord

Id
H01/H03/H02
K01/K03
C01/C02

Max UC
0.58/0.07/0.06
0.79/0.71
0.37/0.64

Therefore, the legs satisfy code requirements.

References
ABS Rules for building and classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 2012
NI534_Jackup Rules SI
ANSAISC 360_10
SACS Executive 5.3
JU MODU

Page 12

[CIMC RAFFLES]

JU MODU

Page 13

[CIMC RAFFLES]

APPENDIX A
INPUT FILE AND OUTPUT DATA

OUTPUT DATA

JU MODU

Page 14

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Model Plot:

Figure A1 - Member Group - Vertical (below 40704 ABL)

Figure A2 - Member group - Horizontal (Below 40704 ABL)

JU MODU

Page 15

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Figure A3 - Member Group - Vertical (above 40704 ABL)

Figure A4 - Member group - Horizontal (above 40704 ABL)

JU MODU

Page 16

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Figure A5 - Joint Fixities and member releases

Appendix B - Output Plot

JU MODU

Page 17

[CIMC RAFFLES]

0.71
(K03)

0.07 (H03)

0.37 (C01)
0.79 (K01)

0.64 (C02)
0.58
(H01)

0.19 (PL1)
0.06
(H02)
Figure B1 - Max UC Ratios

JU MODU

Page 18

[CIMC RAFFLES]

OPF (H03)
ORA
(K03)
OPF (C01)

ORA
(K01)

ORF
(H02)

OPA (H01)

ORA
(C02)

OPF (PL1)

Figure B2 - Worst Load cases for each member group

JU MODU

Page 19

[CIMC RAFFLES]

Appendix C - Chord Properties

JU MODU

Y-Shear area
Z-Shear area
Area
Ip
I-y
I-z

843.24
175.43
1002.21897
285794.9612
130080.0393
155714.9219

cm^2
cm^2
cm^2
cm^4
cm^4
cm^4

Y-Shear area
Z-Shear area
Area
Ip
I-y
I-z

731.9405338
175.4265338
907.230006
267885.4311
125039.8784
142845.5527

cm^2
cm^2
cm^2
cm^4
cm^4
cm^4

Page 20