FEA Structural Mechanical

An auxiliary generator skid had suffered failures at the welded joints of several structural members. A vibration analysis and ODS was completed to determine the operating mode shapes under specific operating conditions. Based on the results an FEA study was performed to determine the stress intensity in the welded connections.

Vibration of the generator package, in conjunction with platform motion, is suspected to play a possible role in the creation of the observed cracks at the welded joints.

The purpose of the vibration analysis and FEA Structural / Mechanical study is to gather vibration measurements at locations of interest and to develop data from those measurements which will then be used for further interpretation.  The observed Operating Deflection Shapes will be used to evaluate existing stresses in the structure under normal operation.  Modifications to the structure will be analyzed to determine the degree of stiffening and stress reduction that can be achieve in situ.

The FEA Structural / Mechanical study is currently underway, and the results of the study will be updated in the next few weeks.