GB2121452A

GB2121452A - Steel structure of superimposed modules

Info

Publication number: GB2121452A
Application number: GB08314952A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Manfred Niemann
Original assignee: Blohm and Voss GmbH
Current assignee: Blohm and Voss GmbH
Priority date: 1982-06-04
Filing date: 1983-05-31
Publication date: 1983-12-21
Also published as: NO831969L; BE896935A; NO159742C; ES8405469A1; FR2528091B1; NL8301984A; DE3221051A1; FI831999A0; FI831999L; DE3221051C2; FI72566C; JPS59447A; GB8314952D0; KR840004953A; NO159742B; FR2528091A1; GB2121452B; ES522930A0; FI72566B; KR900006933B1

Abstract

A steel structure with modules arranged above one another has a supporting framework (1 Fig 1) of vertically extending tubular load- carrying columns 3 which can be placed on top of one another and which carry the total load of the modules. The load carrying columns are preferably arranged at the periphery of the associated module 2 and are connected together by load carrying walls (4 Fig 1) and/or by horizontal beams (5 Fig. 1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A steel structure with modules arranged above one another The invention relates to a steel structure with modules arranged above one another. The term modules will be understood to mean accommodation for housing persons, or for storing material, or for setting up machinery and/or technical switching devices of all kinds, and also tank chambers etc. Such steel structures are known, for example in the form of "offshore hotels" on offshore platforms, for example for oil production in sea areas. Such steel structures are constructed using the so-called "plate stiffened design" amonst others, i.e. the plating is also used to carry loads. The simple use of this constructional system has manifold disadvantages. By way of example stress and deflection problems occur on feeding the support loads into the structure.These problems made it necessary to provide complicated reinforcements.

Similar difficulties were encountered, and reinforcements of considerable weight were necessary, in the region of the lifting eyes required for lifting and moving the modules.

Finally extensive reinforcements were necessary for the attachment of the catwalks and the stairways.

The principal object underlying the present invention is to provide a steel structure which overcomes these disadvantages.

The object is satisfied, in accordance with the present invention, by a steel structure with modules arranged above one another and characterised by a supporting framework comprising vertically extending, load-carrying columns which can be placed on top of one another, which carry the total loads of the modules and which are each preferably arranged at the periphery of each module, with the load-carrying columns being connected by load-carrying walls and/or by horizontal beams.

The load-carrying columns, which under certain circumstances can also be arranged inside the individual modules, offer, in conjunction with the described structure of the supporting framework, many possibilities for locally accommodating components and forces without having to indulge in considerable design and calculation work and without having to tolerate additional weight for reinforcements.

This advantage makes itself noticeable, as can be seen from the subordinate claims, in the transmission of support pressures and everywhere where large forces have to be accepted and transmitted to the module with the aid of the supporting framework of the invention.

If the steel structure of the invention is mounted on an offshore platform the spacing of the loadcarrying columns from one another should be matched to the current jacket sizes and to the dimensions of the standard supports. Furthermore the number of occupants is variable for differentiy sized living accommodation modules and the varying regulations of the classification bodies can be taken account of more easily.

For example the lay-out of the footings of the load-carrying columns on a jacket structure should take account of the fact that the latter can be rammed by a supply ship, whereas, when using the modules on floating or semisubmersible vehicles, the movements of these vehicles as a result of the sea movement is the determining factor for the attachment of the load carrying columns.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated in embodiments and will be explained in more detail with reference to these embodiments.

The drawings show in Fig. 1 a plan view of a module in accordance with the invention, Fig. 2 a view in the direction of the arrow "A" of Fig. 1, Fig. 2a several modules stacked on top of one another in side elevation, Fig. 3 a view in the direction of the arrow "B" of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a sprea'der beam between four loadcarrying columns of a supporting framework for taking up the deflection forces during the lifting process, Fig. 4a a spreader beam for coupling two upper supporting frameworks, Fig. 5 a view of a detail in the direction A-A of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a cross-section through a load-carrying column, Fig. 7 a heavy horizontal beam with corrugated plate, Fig. 8 a corrugated plate in cross-section and in plan, Fig. 9 a combination of a hanger module and a helicopter deck module, Fig. 10 a view in the direction of the arrow "C" in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 a plan view of the arrangement of catwalks and stairways, and Fig. 12 a view in the direction of the arrow "D" in Fig. 11.

The supporting framework 1 of the module 2 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. The loadcarrying columns 3 are connected together by load-carrying walls 4 and/or by horizontal beams 5-the latter including transoms or cross beams 6-. The cross strips 7 are reinforcements for the deckplating 8 and can also take the form of corrugations, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Figs. 2 and 3 show the lay-out of the tankdeck of the double floor 9. The tankdeck simultaneously forms the lowermost deck of the three accommodation levels 2a to 2c, which can simultaneously take the form of modules independent from one another, with the accommodation levels 2a to 2c being arranged above one another and being held by the load carrying columns 3.The arrangement of the double floor 9 provides a stiff connection of the load-carrying columns 3 and simultaneously offers tank space for drinking water and water for services. Beneath the double floor 9 there is located a free space of ca. 1 m in height for tubular ducts of all kinds and also for coupling points between the modules and the jacket, or between the modules and the ship.

If only a part of the double floor is used as tank space the remaining part can serve to accommodate tubular ducts and supply lines. This results in less insulation complexity and good accessibility.

The upper part of the load-carrying columns 3 should serve to accommodate lifting eyes 11. In combination with a releasable spreading beam 1 3 each module 2 can thus be transferred as often as is desired for the purpose of exchange, repair etc.

As can best be seen from Figs. 4, 4a and 5 lifting eyes 11 can be used above the roof 1 5 of the module 2c for the purpose of assembly together with a spreading beam 1 3 and a lifting cable 12 leading to a crane hook (not visible). The spreader beam 1 3 is in this arrangement preferably a tubular construction. In principle the upper and lower ends of the part load-columns of each framework are constructed (not shown in the drawing) similar to the footings 14 of the load-carrying columns 3 (can also be used for load out-displacement of the module from the beach construction side to a transport pontoon after completion) in order to make a connection with the load-carrying columns of the neighbouring framework possible.For this purpose guide systems (coarse and fine guides (not illustrated)) are secured to the ends of each column 3 in order to ensure an adequate concentering of the modules one to another.

It can be seen in Fig. 6 that the load columns 3 are each provided with a cross-like internal stiffener 1 6 of approximately the same plate thickness as the tubular column wall 17.

In accordance with Figs. 7 and 8 the deck plating 8 can be constructed with the aid of corrugated sheets 1 8 which lie on beams 6 and are connected thereto. The corrugations usefully have a larger width equal to approximately three times the depth of the corrugations.

The helicopter deck module of Figs. 9 and 10 consists of a box-like construction 19, the loadcarrying columns 3 and a helicopter landing deck 20. The dimensions of the helicopter landing deck should be at least 20x20 meters and/or satisfy the regulations of the local aviation authorities and the size of the helicopter that is to be used.

For weight saving purposes a high strength steel is used. The space inside the load-carrying columns 3 could serve to accommodate fuel for the helicopter and also extinguishing agents (ca.

10 m3 per column). In this way expensive stiffened tanks can be avoided. The reference numerals 21 designate fire extinguishing platforms and 22 a stairway.

An additional hangar module 23 should be carried from only two load-carrying columns 3 in view of the size of the hanger that is to be expected and the required coupling with the helicopter deck 20.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the arrangement of catwalks 24 and stairways 25. Here the loadcarrying columns 3 also offer a good opportunity for securing the catwalks 24. In conjunction with the end walls 26 and the beam 6 each deck plane 8 can be surrounded by a catwalk 24. Spiral staircases 25 at the columns 3 connect the deck levels 8 one with another.

With the dimensions of the module 2 in the length and width remaining unchanged the built up volume is reduced as a result of the catwalk 24 by the amount of the one meter wide catwalk 24 on each side. The possibility of coupling together modules with catwalks and of coupling them with modules without catwalks is thus ensured.

The living accommodation module of Fig. 12 is erected with its footings 14 on the deck of a jacket 27, i.e. a locally fixed offshore tubular construction and is equipped with a helicopter deck module.

Claims

1. A steel structure with modules arranged above one another, the structure being characterised by a supporting framework (1) comprising vertically extending, load-carrying columns (3) which can be placed on top on one another, which carry the total load of the modules and which are each preferably arranged at the periphery of the associated module (2) with the load-carrying columns (3) being connected by load-carrying walls (4) and/or by horizontal beams (5).

2. A steel structure in accordance with claim 1 and characterised in that the load-carrying columns (3) are of chamber-like construction.

3. A steel structure in accordance with claim 2 and characterised in that the chamber-like columns (3) are adapted for the storage of liquids.

4. A steel structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3 and characterised in that the load-carrying columns (3) associated with each module (2) are components of an individual supporting framework and permit connection at their upper and lower ends with the load-carrying columns (3) of neighbouring supporting frameworks (1).

5. A steel structure in accordance with any one of the preceding claims and characterised in that it is transportable, and preferably liftable and in that the load-carrying columns (3) of the supporting framework (1) are braced against one another and cross-wise by means of a releasable spreader beam (13).

6. A steel structure in accordance with claim 5 and characterised in that said spreader beam braces the individual lifting columns for the engagement of a lifting tackle.

7. A steel structure in accordance with either of claims 5 and 6 and characterised in that said spreader beam (13) can also be used to connect together two individual neighbouring supporting frameworks at the uppermost end of the steel structure.

8. A steel structure in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 7 and characterised in that the load-carrying columns (3) of the lowermost supporting framework (1) are constructed as footings for bearing or emplacement devices.

9. A steel structure in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 8 and characterised in that the supporting frameworks (1) have different heights and arrangements in the steel structure, which can for example have a double floor, depending on their use for living accommodation modules, workshop modules or storage modules.

10. A steel structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 and characterised in that the horizontal beams (5) are double-T beams and in that the horizontal deck-plates are corrugated plates (18).

11. A steel structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10 and characterised in that the external walls have horizontally disposed catwalks (24) extending therearound and stairways (25) in the area of the load-carrying columns (3).

1 2. A steel structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11 and characterised in that the supporting framework (1) is constructed as a helicopter landing platform (20).

1 3. A steel structure in accordance with claim 1 2 and characterised in that a hangar is provided adjacent said helicopter landing platform.

14. A steel structure substantially as herein described and as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.