Wave endurance time: A new concept for structural assessment under extreme waves

The wave endurance time method is a novel dynamic approach to conveniently estimate structural performance under various extreme wave conditions. In this method, offshore structures are subjected to a gradually intensifying sea surface profile called wave function, and their performance is assessed in different sea state conditions by a single time history analysis. From a wave endurance time analysis perspective, structural behavior is judged based on the maximum time duration that a structure can withstand the wave function. In this study, a description of the wave endurance time concept is presented, and generation of the initial type of wave functions is thoroughly addressed. In addition, the evaluation of a simplified model of a realistic jacket platform under extreme wave conditions is viewed through the lens of a wave endurance time study. The accuracy of this approach is investigated by a comparative study between the wave endurance time approach and typical 3-h time history analyses. The results indicate that the wave endurance time approach is capable of estimating the results of 3-h simulations with acceptable accuracy and less computational effort.