Extreme loads determination on complex slender structures

For the dimensioning of particular structures like stingers or generic tubular elements for offshore industry, it is usual to predict the extreme values of wave induced loads. Both for model test and calculations, the traditionally adopted methods of analysis are based on Weibull distribution. The necessity to investigate severe sea state conditions together with the increased complexity of the structure is an evident source of non-linearities in the exciting force peaks distribution. In the specific, the adoption of a standard Weibull approach is not indicated for accurately predict the extreme loads. The adoption of more accurate distributions suitable to capture peaks non-linearity will ensure to overcome or capture possible multi-modal behaviour of the considered population. These enhanced techniques can be used not only for model test results analysis, but also for results coming from preliminary hydrodynamic calculations (CFD). In the present work, two different methodologies based on Mixed Weibull and Generalised Pareto distributions will be applied to the results obtained for a stinger geometry, where Morison theory is adopted to evaluate wave loads considering shield effects between the single tubular elements.