Structure Design Sensitivity Analysis of Active Type DSF for Offshore Plant Float-over Installation Using Design of Experiments

The paper deals with comparative study on sensitivity analysis using various methods regarding to design of experiments for structure design of an active type DSF (Deck support frame) that was developed for float-over installation of offshore plant. The thickness sizing variables of structure member of the active type DSF were considered the design factors. The output responses were defined from the weight and the strength performances. Various methods such as orthogonal array design, Box-Behnken design, and Latin hypercube design were applied to the comparative study. In order to evaluate the approximation performance of the design space exploration according to the design of experiments, response surface method was generated for each design of experiment, and the accuracy characteristics of the approximation were reviewed. The design enhancement results such as numerical costs, weight minimization, etc. via the design of experiment methods were compared to the results of the best design. The orthogonal array design method represented the most improved results for the structure design of the active type DSF.