A DETAILED STUDY ON THE FAILURE PROBABILITY OF ST130 "A" PLATFORM DURING THE PASSAGE OF HURRICANE ANDREW

This paper summarizes some results of a study initiated to understand failures and survivals of platforms in large storms. Ultimately, this effort will lead to the development of reliability models for offshore platforms that are calibrated, i.e., that more accurately reflect the failures and survivals experienced in the past. In particular, the results presented deal with ST130 "A" ultimate strength calculations using static nonlinear pushover analysis tools, and detailed failure probability calculation during Hurricane Andrew, using a failure probability calculation model developed in-house. The theory embedded in this model was extensively used in a recently completed joint industry project on the Bayesian calibration of wave forces and resistance calculation procedures.