Selection of Environmental Design Criteria for Arctic Structures

Myers, Phyllis E.; ,

Selection of Environmental Design Criteria for Arctic Structures

by Phyllis E. Myers, Oceanographic Services Inc, Santa, Barbara, CA, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Civil Engineering in the Arctic Offshore

Abstract:

Where data are insufficient for calculation of extremes using probability theory, design criteria may be reasonable defined by combining available data, knowledge of physical processes and parallels with other regions. An environmental model is developed from available data to serve as a basis for assumptions during the selection process. The outlined procedure is acceptable for preliminary design. For final design, criteria need to be verified through collecting additional data and continuing detailed analytical work. Although there is a great lack of data for the Navarin Basin, one can confidently state that a maximum upper limit to ice conditions in the Bering Sea will be equal to those of the Beaufort Sea, an area of which we have more knowledge. A platform designed to Beaufort Sea criteria would likely be prohibitively expensive. Our objective is to define more realistic extremes while retaining sufficient conservatism to reflect the lack of direct experience in the area. 16 refs.

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