Design Simulation of Ultimate Loading Leg Jacket with Different Types of Bracing

Abstract

The structural performance of fixed offshore jacket platforms is strongly governed by the configuration of their bracing systems, which control global stiffness, load transfer mechanisms, and member utilization. This study presents a comparative linear static analysis of four common jacket bracing configurations—X-bracing, V-bracing, K-bracing, and diagonal bracing—under operational and extreme storm loading conditions. Numerical simulations were performed using the Structural Analysis Computer System (SACS), incorporating realistic geometric parameters, boundary conditions, gravity loads, and environmental actions in accordance with offshore design practice. Key performance indicators evaluated include the total number of structural members, axial stress distribution along elevation, and unity check (UC) ratios for structural safety assessment. The results indicate that X-bracing provides superior load redistribution and consistently lower UC ratios across critical elevations, reflecting higher structural efficiency and redundancy. In contrast, V- and diagonal bracing systems exhibit higher member utilization, particularly at lower elevations, due to less effective load paths. The findings demonstrate that appropriate bracing selection can enhance structural efficiency while reducing material demand, supporting sustainable design strategies for offshore jacket platforms.