Pages 167-177
Large concrete offshore structures have been constructed so far in one united body in a large graving dock. However, this method needs a large amount of capital investment for building a graving dock beforehand. On the other hand, if we could use an existing shipbuilding dock, which is fully equipped, we will be able to enjoy much economical advantage for the production of such a concrete offshore structure, in time and cost. But, the existing shipbuilding dock is not wide enough to allow a large concrete offshore structure to be constructed in one body. To overcome this problem, we have developed a method for joining afloat concrete offshore structure sections which have been built in two in an existing shipbuilding dock. In this method, the joint is located at the center part of the structure where the maximum resultant forces act and there exist some structural discontinuities. We have calculated the ultimate strength of the joint using FEM analysis and confirmed that the joint has strength comparable with other parts which have been constructed beforehand in a shipbuilding dock.
