Introduction

The relentless pursuit of energy resources, expanding global trade, and the increasing need for coastal protection have driven the development of complex Offshore and Marine Structures, demanding specialized structural design and analysis expertise to withstand the harshest environmental conditions on Earth. Unlike land-based structures, these installations are subjected to unique and extreme loads from waves, currents, wind, and seismic activity, coupled with the corrosive effects of seawater and challenging construction logistics. This training course is meticulously designed to equip civil, structural, ocean, and naval engineers, offshore project managers, energy sector professionals, and researchers with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in understanding the unique design challenges of marine environments, mastering environmental load analysis, exploring various offshore structural typologies (fixed, floating), applying advanced analysis techniques for dynamic response and fatigue, navigating international codes and standards, and leveraging specialized software tools for comprehensive offshore structural engineering. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to conceptualize, analyze, design, and oversee the construction of safe, robust, and economically viable offshore and marine structures that ensure long-term performance in the demanding ocean environment.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Structural, Coastal, Geotechnical)
• Structural Engineers
• Ocean Engineers
• Naval Architects
• Offshore Project Managers
• Energy Sector Professionals (Oil & Gas, Offshore Wind)
• Marine Construction Engineers
• Researchers in Offshore Engineering
• Advanced Engineering Students

Objectives

• Understand the unique environmental conditions and loads affecting offshore and marine structures.
• Master the principles of wave, current, and wind load analysis for offshore applications.
• Learn about various offshore structural typologies (fixed, floating, subsea) and their applications.
• Develop proficiency in the structural design of steel and concrete offshore platforms.
• Understand dynamic analysis, fatigue analysis, and ultimate strength assessment for offshore structures.
• Explore the geotechnical aspects of offshore foundations.
• Learn about corrosion protection and material selection for marine environments.
• Understand international codes, standards, and regulations governing offshore design.
• Develop skills in using specialized software for offshore structural analysis.
• Explore the design of offshore wind turbine foundations and other renewable energy structures.
• Formulate comprehensive design solutions for complex offshore and marine engineering projects.

Course Content

Module 1. Introduction to Offshore and Marine Structures

• Defining Offshore and Marine Structures: Types and applications (oil & gas, renewable energy, coastal protection, ports)
• Unique challenges of the marine environment: Waves, currents, wind, corrosion, remoteness
• Historical Development: Evolution of offshore platforms and marine infrastructure
• Overview of the offshore energy industry (oil & gas, wind, wave, tidal)
• Key stakeholders and regulatory bodies

Module 2. Ocean Environment and Wave Mechanics

• Oceanography Fundamentals: Tides, currents, water depth, seabed characteristics
• Wave Theories: Linear wave theory, Stokes' wave theory, solitary wave theory
• Wave parameters: Height, period, wavelength, direction
• Wave spectra and statistical description of sea states
• Extreme wave conditions and design wave selection

Module 3. Wind Load Analysis for Offshore Structures

• Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Wind profiles over water
• Wind Speed Data: Extreme wind speeds, gust factors for offshore conditions
• Wind forces on offshore platforms: Drag, lift, moment coefficients
• Dynamic response to wind: Buffeting, vortex shedding
• Wind loads on offshore wind turbines

Module 4. Current and Ice Load Analysis

• Ocean Currents: Types (tidal, oceanic, wind-driven) and velocity profiles
• Current forces on submerged and semi-submerged structures
• Combined Wave and Current Loads: Morison's equation and its application
• Ice Loads: Types of ice (sheet, floe, ridge) and ice-structure interaction
• Design considerations for ice-prone regions

Module 5. Offshore Structural Typologies: Fixed Platforms

• Jacket Platforms: Components, design considerations, fabrication, and installation
• Gravity Base Structures (GBS): Concrete and steel GBS, stability, and foundation design
• Monopiles and Tripods for offshore wind turbines
• Caissons and Dolphins for marine terminals
• Design for constructability and transportation

Module 6. Offshore Structural Typologies: Floating Platforms

• Semi-Submersibles: Principles of stability, mooring systems
• Tension Leg Platforms (TLPs): Tendon design, heave response
• Spar Platforms: Stability, ballast systems
• Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) units
• Design for dynamic positioning and station keeping

Module 7. Subsea Structures and Pipelines

• Subsea Production Systems: Manifolds, templates, risers
• Pipelines: Design for internal/external pressure, buckling, spanning
• Pipeline Installation Methods: Laying (S-lay, J-lay), towing, trenching
• Subsea foundations and anchoring systems
• Inspection, maintenance, and repair of subsea assets

Module 8. Offshore Geotechnical Engineering and Foundations

• Site Investigations: Marine geophysics, boreholes, CPTs in offshore environments
• Soil Properties: Undrained shear strength, cyclic loading effects
• Pile Foundations: Driven piles, drilled piles for offshore platforms
• Suction Piles and Gravity Base Foundations
• Anchor systems for floating structures

Module 9. Structural Analysis for Offshore Structures I: Static and Dynamic

• Load Combinations: Environmental, operational, accidental loads
• Static Analysis: Global and local structural analysis
• Dynamic Analysis: Modal analysis, response spectrum analysis
• Time domain analysis for irregular waves and transient loads
• Software tools for offshore structural analysis (e.g., SACS, SESAM, ANSYS AQWA)

Module 10. Structural Analysis for Offshore Structures II: Fatigue and Ultimate Strength

• Fatigue Analysis: S-N curves, Miner's rule, hot spot stress approach
• Fracture Mechanics: Crack initiation and propagation in marine steels
• Ultimate Strength Analysis: Non-linear behavior, collapse mechanisms
• Pushover analysis and progressive collapse considerations
• Reliability-based design for offshore structures

Module 11. Materials and Corrosion Protection in Marine Environments

• Steel: High-strength steel, weldability, fracture toughness
• Concrete: High-performance concrete for marine applications
• Corrosion Mechanisms: Electrochemical corrosion in seawater
• Corrosion Protection Systems: Coatings, cathodic protection (sacrificial anodes, impressed current)
• Material selection for splash zone and submerged areas

Module 12. Offshore Construction, Installation, and Decommissioning

• Fabrication: Yard operations, modular construction
• Transportation: Towing, heavy lift vessels
• Installation Methods: Launching, float-over, heavy lift
• Subsea installation techniques
• Decommissioning: Regulations, methods (removal, toppling, re-use)

Module 13. International Codes, Standards, and Regulations

• API Standards: For oil and gas platforms (e.g., API RP 2A-WSD)
• DNV GL Standards: For offshore structures, pipelines, and renewable energy
• ISO Standards for offshore structures
• IMO Regulations for marine vessels and structures
• Classification societies and certification processes

Module 14. Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations

• Foundation Types: Monopiles, jackets, gravity base, floating foundations
• Design Loads: Wind, wave, current, seismic, operational loads
• Geotechnical design for offshore wind
• Dynamic Response: Coupled analysis of wind turbine and support structure
• Installation challenges for offshore wind foundations

Module 15. Risk Management and Future Trends

• Risk Assessment: HAZID, HAZOP, QRA for offshore projects
• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): Sensors, data analytics for offshore assets
• Digital Twins for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance
• Autonomous inspection and maintenance robotics
• Emerging technologies: Floating solar, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.