Extreme value analysis in a multivariate offshore environment

Floating offshore systems are exposed to a multivariate environment with wind, waves and current all making a significant contribution to the mooring forces. The design of such systems requires an appreciation of the extreme conditions but the concept of the return period value has to be extended to reflect multiple environmental variables. This study examines the practicalities of employing a multivariate point process model in extreme value analyses, using a moored semi-submersible and its responses to the wind and waves as an example. The output from this illustrative bivariate analysis includes both estimates of the 50-year mooring force and also return period contours which indicate the likely combinations of wind and wave which might give rise to the 50-year condition. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.