Patent ID: 8807062
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A method for designing an offshore platform, the method comprising: (a) setting an initial value for each of a plurality of parameters that affect the stability of the offshore platform; (b) setting an upper limit and a lower limit for each of the plurality of parameters, wherein the upper and the lower limit for each parameter defines a range for each parameter; (c) varying a first of the plurality of parameters after (a) and (b); (d) determining, by a computer, a first plurality of righting moments of the offshore platform for each of a first plurality of increasing heeling angles during (c), wherein the heeling angles result from a heeling moment produced by a constant 100 knot wind; (e) determining, by the computer, whether each of the first plurality of righting moments is greater than zero for each of the first plurality of heeling angles that are non-zero during (d); (f) determining, by the computer, whether the first plurality of righting moments increase in value after decreasing in value during (d); (g) selecting, by the computer, values for the first plurality of parameters for which the first plurality of righting moments has an increasing set of values following a decreasing set of values through progressively increasing heeling angles; and (h) assigning, as a preferred design value for the offshore platform, a value for each of the first plurality of parameters for which the righting moments has the increasing set of values through the progressively increasing heeling angles.