ABSTRACT
Large offshore platforms are usually designed by teams of engineers, with the lead engineer usually being a structural engineer. Although fixed platforms are 'dumb' structures in the sense of buildings, bridges and towers, and constructional steel design is the dominant effort, many elements of other technologies are involved. As will be discussed in this chapter, these technologies include the following:
environmental loadings (e.g. wind, waves and current), oilfield operations and topside safety considerations, economic risk evaluation, foundation design, materials and welding, construction operations, inspection and repair.
