System and Method for Coupling a Topside to a Floating Substructure
Systems and methods for coupling a topside to a fixed or floating substructure during float-over installation of the topside are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a first plate coupled to a leg of the substructure and a retaining wall coupled to the first plate and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein the retaining wall and the first plate form a recess. The system embodiments further include a second plate disposed at an end of a leg of the topside, the second plate received within the recess and engaging the first plate, and a plurality of shims disposed between the second plate and the retaining wall, wherein the plurality of shims are configured to inhibit translational movement of the second plate relative to the first plate.
1 . A system for coupling a topside to a substructure during float-over installation of the topside, the system comprising:
a first plate coupled to a leg of the substructure;
a retaining wall coupled to the first plate and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein the retaining wall and the first plate form a recess; and
a second plate disposed at an end of a leg of the topside, the second plate received within the recess and engaging the first plate.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second plate is annular.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second plate has a lower surface in contact with the first plate and wherein the topside leg has a cross-section substantially parallel to the second plate, wherein the lower surface in contact with the first plate has an area greater than the area of the cross-section.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shims disposed between the second plate and the retaining wall, wherein the plurality of shims are configured to inhibit translational movement of the second plate relative to the first plate.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of shims comprises:
a first plurality of inner shims, each inner shim positioned adjacent the second plate; and
an equal number of outer shims, each outer shim positioned between one of the first plurality of inner shims and the retaining wall.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein each inner shim comprises an outer surface in contact with an inner surface of the adjacent outer shim, wherein the outer surface of each inner shim and the inner surface of each outer shim are configured to resist translational movement relative to one another.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the inner surface of each outer shim and the outer surface of each adjacent inner shim are tapered.
8 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising a coating layer covering the plurality of shims.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the coating layer comprises one of the group consisting of epoxy resin and tar.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a hardenable material layer disposed between the retaining wall and the second plate.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the hardenable material layer comprises one of the group consisting of epoxy resin and gout.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the retaining wall is circular.
13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of gusset plates disposed circumferentially around the retaining wall and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein each gusset plate is coupled to the retaining wall and the first plate.
14 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of gusset plates disposed circumferentially around the leg of the substructure and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein each gusset plate is coupled to the leg of the substructure and the first plate.
15 . A system for coupling a topside to a substructure during float-over installation of the topside, the system comprising:
a coupling system comprising:
a solid plate coupled to a leg of the substructure;
a retaining wall coupled to the solid plate and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein the retaining wall and the solid plate form a recess; and
an annular plate disposed at an end of a leg of the topside, the annular plate received within the recess and engaging the solid plate; and
a tensioning system comprising:
a connector coupled to the solid plate;
a support plate coupled to the topside;
a rod extending between the connector and the support plate; and
a securing device coupled to an end of the rod, the securing device configured to apply a tension load to the rod.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the connector is coupled to the solid plate and disposed within the annular plate.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the annular plate has a lower surface in contact with the solid plate and wherein the topside leg has a cross-section substantially parallel to the annular plate, wherein the lower surface in contact with the solid plate has an area greater than the area of the cross-section.
18 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of shims disposed between the second plate and the retaining wall, wherein the plurality of shims are configured to inhibit translational movement of the annular plate relative to the solid plate.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of shims comprises:
a first plurality of inner shims, each inner shim positioned adjacent the second plate; and
an equal number of outer shims, each outer shim positioned between one of the first plurality of inner shims and the retaining wall;
wherein each inner shim comprises an outer surface in contact with an inner surface of the adjacent outer shim, wherein the outer surface of each inner shim and the inner surface of each outer shim are configured to resist translational movement relative to one another.
20 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a hardenable material layer disposed between the retaining wall and the annular plate.
21 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of gusset plates disposed circumferentially around the retaining wall and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein each gusset plate is coupled to the retaining wall and the first plate.
22 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of gusset plates disposed circumferentially around the leg of the substructure and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein each gusset plate is coupled to the leg of the substructure and the first plate.
23 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a coating layer covering the plurality of shims.
24 . A method for coupling a topside to a substructure during float-over installation of the topside, the method comprising:
coupling a receptacle to a leg of the substructure, the receptacle comprising:
a first plate coupled to the leg of the substructure; and
a retaining wall coupled to the first plate, the retaining wall extending substantially normally therefrom;
wherein the retaining wall and the first plate form a recess;
disposing a second plate at an end of a leg of the topside; and
receiving the second plate within the recess, wherein the second plate engages the first plate.
25 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising installing a plurality of shims between the second plate and the retaining wall, wherein the plurality of shims are configured to inhibit translational movement of the second plate relative to the first plate.
26 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising covering the plurality of shims with a coating layer.
27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the receiving comprises deballasting the substructure to position the second plate within the recess and in engagement with the first plate.
28 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising coupling a first plurality of gusset plate between an outer surface of the retaining wall and the first plate and coupling a second plurality of gusset plates between an outer surface of the leg of the substructure and the first plate.
29 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising applying a hardenable material layer between the retaining wall and the second plate.