Large-scale wave basin experimental study on the spatio-temporal distribution of wave impact loads on a semi-submersible platform

• Propose a method for systematically evaluating the temporal and spatial distribution of wave impact loads. • Conduct wave impact tests on a typical semi-submersible platform in a large-scale deepwater offshore basin. • Develop a procedure for the efficient identification and extraction of impact loads from massive measurement data. • Reveal the spatio-temporal characteristics of wave impact loads and the influence of wave conditions. In recent decades, wave impact has been a highly concerning issue due to its extremely destructive potential in rough sea states. Accurate predictions of local impact loads are critical for the safety and reliability of coastal and offshore structures. However, our understanding of this problem is hindered by strong nonlinearity and violent nature of wave impacts. Large-scale experiments with dense instrumentation were conducted in a 50 m by 40 m by 10 m deepwater offshore basin to investigate the characteristics of wave impact pressure and impulse on a semi-submersible platform, consisting of a deck box, columns, and pontoons, under irregular waves. The temporal and spatial variations of wave impact pressures and pressure impulses are quantified and compared under various irregular waves. The results show that the time series of impact pressure exhibits a quasi-exponential growth and decay around the peak. For the 100-year sea state, the column experiences more severe wave impacts, with the averaged peak impact pressure reaching up to 124.6 kPa and the averaged pressure impulse up to 35.2 kPa · s, significantly greater than those on the deck box. The increase in significant wave height and spectral peak period not only increases the magnitude of local impact loads, but also the elevation and extent of the impact region. The impact loads induced by irregular waves show greater vertical variations than horizontal variations, with the maximum Coefficient of Variation (COV) exceeding 1, and exhibit similar propagation characteristics to those by regular waves on the fixed structure. The wavelet analysis of impact pressure reveals that the frequency of oscillating pressure varies depending on the volume and state of the entrained air during wave breaking, with distinctive features of aeration impacts. The motion of the platform changes the location, extent, and angle of the wave impinging the structure, consequently affecting the local impact pressure, total impact duration, and resulting impulse. The proposed method is expected to be a powerful tool for experimentally evaluating the spatio-temporal distribution of wave impact loads on offshore structures. The outcome of this study provide guidance for the design of reliable semi-submersible platforms under extreme sea conditions.