<p>This paper provides a comprehensive review of shock absorbers specifically designed for supply vessel berthing operations on fixed offshore platforms, with particular emphasis on compliance with NORSOK N-003 design standards and structural response considerations for jacket-type platforms. The study categorizes and analyzes common fender types including rubber fenders, cone fenders, pneumatic fenders, and composite energy-absorbing systems, focusing exclusively on their application to fixed offshore structures rather than ship-to-ship operations. For each fender type, the paper discusses working principles, advantages, disadvantages, and energy absorption capabilities within the context of supply vessel impact scenarios involving vessels of 5000 tons or greater at impact speeds ranging from 0.5 m/s (Ultimate Limit State) to 2.0 m/s (Accidental Limit State). The analysis addresses critical design considerations including kinetic energy ranges, structural response characteristics (both local member-level and global platform-level effects), performance curves showing deformation versus reaction force relationships, and the fundamental trade-offs between fender sizing and additional wave loading imposed on fixed platforms during extreme environmental conditions. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding collision geometry differences between supply vessel impacts on fixed structures versus floating vessel operations, while acknowledging the significant design constraints imposed by platform structural limitations and environmental loading considerations. Key limitations are comprehensively discussed, including the constraints imposed by extreme wave conditions on large fender installations, the structural implications for platform design, and the limited availability of published performance data from actual fixed platform installations. The primary objective is to assist offshore engineers in selecting appropriate shock absorber systems that comply with international design standards while considering the unique challenges and constraints of fixed offshore platform operations. This work contributes to the state of the art of shock absorbers for boat landings on fixed offshore platforms by providing the first comprehensive analysis that specifically addresses the unique requirements of fixed platform applications, integrates NORSOK design standards with practical fender selection criteria, and acknowledges the critical design trade-offs that distinguish fixed platform applications from other marine fendering scenarios. The paper fills a significant gap in the literature by focusing exclusively on fixed platform requirements rather than generalizing from ship-to-ship or port facility applications.</p>

Overview of shock absorbers for boat landings on fixed offshore platforms

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发表日期：

2025年11月21日

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Ahmed ElHamahmy

摘要

This paper provides a comprehensive review of shock absorbers specifically designed for supply vessel berthing operations on fixed offshore platforms, with particular emphasis on compliance with NORSOK N-003 design standards and structural response considerations for jacket-type platforms. The study categorizes and analyzes common fender types including rubber fenders, cone fenders, pneumatic fenders, and composite energy-absorbing systems, focusing exclusively on their application to fixed offshore structures rather than ship-to-ship operations. For each fender type, the paper discusses working principles, advantages, disadvantages, and energy absorption capabilities within the context of supply vessel impact scenarios involving vessels of 5000 tons or greater at impact speeds ranging from 0.5 m/s (Ultimate Limit State) to 2.0 m/s (Accidental Limit State). The analysis addresses critical design considerations including kinetic energy ranges, structural response characteristics (both local member-level and global platform-level effects), performance curves showing deformation versus reaction force relationships, and the fundamental trade-offs between fender sizing and additional wave loading imposed on fixed platforms during extreme environmental conditions. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding collision geometry differences between supply vessel impacts on fixed structures versus floating vessel operations, while acknowledging the significant design constraints imposed by platform structural limitations and environmental loading considerations. Key limitations are comprehensively discussed, including the constraints imposed by extreme wave conditions on large fender installations, the structural implications for platform design, and the limited availability of published performance data from actual fixed platform installations. The primary objective is to assist offshore engineers in selecting appropriate shock absorber systems that comply with international design standards while considering the unique challenges and constraints of fixed offshore platform operations. This work contributes to the state of the art of shock absorbers for boat landings on fixed offshore platforms by providing the first comprehensive analysis that specifically addresses the unique requirements of fixed platform applications, integrates NORSOK design standards with practical fender selection criteria, and acknowledges the critical design trade-offs that distinguish fixed platform applications from other marine fendering scenarios. The paper fills a significant gap in the literature by focusing exclusively on fixed platform requirements rather than generalizing from ship-to-ship or port facility applications.