Mating Load Analysis of Topside Float-over Installation

topside from a barge to a fixed or floating substructure without
the service of the lift crane vessel and dependent mainly on the
barge ballasting operation. Various analysis which basically
consisted of numerical simulation and model tests are conducted
as assurance of the success of float-over installation. Inherently,
barge motion responses correspond with the sea condition,
mating load interfaces and mooring line tension are the major
indicator of the successfulness of float-over installation. An
earlier prediction of barge motion responses correspond with the
sea state condition is crucial for determination of the most
amicable installation window. The mating load interfaces
investigation contributes for the fabrication of elastomeric unit
which functioned to dissipate the impact energy between the
topside leg and substructure leg. The coordination of mooring
line tension is critical to control the longitudinal and transverse
position of the barge during the installation. This paper
describes the mating load characteristic investigated through the
model tests conducted in the shallow wave basin of
UniversitiTeknologi PETRONAS simulating the topside load
transfer stages from the installation barge to the jacket. The
experimental set-up and the instrumentation are also described
in detail. The overall objective of this study is to develop
capabilities for performing accurate and reliable testing of
equipment and systems for use in float-over operation.
Keywords-float-over installation; model test; load transfer,
mating load