The Petroleum Structural Engineering® (PSE) software specializes in Offshore Structural Analysis and Design for oil & gas drilling structures, including platforms, rigs, masts, and substructures in compliance to the API 4F 5th edition requirements.
API Specification 4F, 5th Edition, Drilling and Well Servicing Structures
Automatically calculate wind, ice, and dead loads for every structural member using the velocity component approach — fully compliant with API 4F (5th edition).
Advanced structural analysis workflows with animated results, FEA, P-Delta, nonlinear, buckling, seismic time-history, vessel dynamic motions, and wave & current loads.
PSE® – Explore the full offshore and onshore drilling structure design workflow in a short technical walkthrough.
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The PSE® Software offers comprehensive structural analysis capabilities, including P-Delta, nonlinear, buckling, frequency, seismic, and dynamic analyses, with fully integrated design verification.
PSE Petroleum Structural Engineering® software is based on the API 4F (5th edition) Specification for Drilling and Well Servicing Structures.
Wind loads, based on the velocity component approach, and vessel dynamic motions are defined according to API 4F Specification for Drilling and Well Servicing Structures. PSE® systematically incorporates the latest requirements and recommendations for suitable steel structures for drilling and well servicing operations for the Oil&Gas industry.
PSE® software is an innovative solution aiming to increase productivity of international companies helping them to achieve the most complex structural engineering projects.
Wind loads, calculated using the velocity component approach, are defined according to the API 4F Specification for Drilling and Well Servicing Structures (5th edition).
PSE® includes a specialized tool for generating wind and ice loads on open structures, such as drilling rigs. This feature enables automated calculation of wind and ice loads on each structural element.
PSE® software streamlines wind load application by computing loads based on projected area, projected pressures, or velocity components. It offers a range of wind profiles and automatically determines shape coefficients (drag factors) for accurate load estimation.
PSE® features comprehensive state-of-the-art structural analysis methods, including:
• Finite Elements Analysis (FEA) including plates and shell elements
• P-Delta Analysis, Linear and Nonlinear Analysis, Buckling Analysis
• Static Equivalent Seismic Analysis, Seismic and Dynamic Time-History Analysis
• Non-linear analysis using load control and displacement control strategy
• Linear and exact non-linear cable elements
• Direct Analysis Method (DAM) and the Effective Length Method (kL) for AISC 360
• Possibility to add non-structural components using Spatial Objects and Spatial Loads to automatically calculate dead, ice, and wind loads
PSE® allows to animate analysis results, including static, P-Delta, buckling, seismic, and dynamic analyses. This visualization highlights displacements, internal forces, stresses, reactions, mode shapes, and time-history data, offering clear insights into structural behavior.
Animating envelopes focuses on critical regions, simplifying complex data for better decision-making during dynamic events.
PSE® integrates advanced vessel dynamic motion analysis, adhering to the API 4F (5th edition) Specification for Drilling and Well Servicing Structures.
• Accurate inertial force calculation: Accounts for vessel dynamic motions and the impact of radial, tangential, and translational forces from mass acceleration.
• Comprehensive motion simulation: Models roll, pitch, and yaw rotations along with heave, sway, and surge translations, ensuring precise structural response analysis.
• Optimized for offshore environments: Designed for offshore drilling structures on vessels, semisubmersibles, and floating hulls, enhancing design reliability and safety.
PSE® provides advanced analysis of wave and current loads on submerged structural members in platforms and floating hulls, following API RP 2A specifications.
• Comprehensive load analysis: Accurately computes wave and current forces acting on structural members.
• Linear & nonlinear kinematics: Supports Airy’s linear theory and Fenton’s nonlinear theory for precise wave kinematics modeling.
• Optimized for offshore structures: Ensures stability and performance of submerged components in dynamic marine environments.
PSE® software offers advanced custom reporting tools, enabling users to create tailored, professional reports with ease. With options to select relevant data, add individual or multiple tables, and customize settings, users can design layouts that meet specific project needs.
Editable titles, table reordering, and predefined templates enhance efficiency, while saved custom layouts streamline future reporting. Reports can be customized and exported to Microsoft Word and Excel, streamlining workflows.
PSE® features an intuitive, ribbon-based graphical user interface powered by DirectX 11 and OpenGL 2.0 for enhanced performance. Users can efficiently create, analyze, and design complex models, visualized as lines, wireframes, or 3D solids.
Users benefit from key functionalities such as detailed element creation, and transparency options for components like members, plates, surfaces, spatial objects and panels.
Additionally, powerful edition features allow to model very complex and non-standards towers. The software supports metric, imperial, and mixed unit systems, which can be modified at any time.
Model configuration based on wind conditions. PSE® allows to define different structural configurations depending on the specific wind environment the drilling structure will be exposed to.
The API 4F specifications are applicable to the following wind environments:
• Operational wind
• Erection wind
• Transportation wind
• Unexpected wind
• Expected wind
The shape coefficient (Cs) is automated in the PSE software for various section shapes. The program accounts for the gust factor (Gf) and the reduction factor for shielding (Ksh) for members and appurtenances.
PSE® software calculates inertial forces generated by vessel dynamic motion, including:
• Radial forces
• Tangential forces
• Translational forces
To estimate inertial forces resulting from vessel dynamic motions, PSE® accepts three types of user input:
• Linear displacements, angular rotations and time periods
• Linear and angular velocities and accelerations
• Linear accelerations at two points in the vessel which are converted to linear and angular accelerations by the program.
PSE supports two methods for defining wave motion and kinematics:
- Airy’s Linear Wave Theory
- Fenton’s Nonlinear Wave Theory
PSE® accounts for the following wave profiles and kinematic parameters:
• Wave period
• Incidence angle
• Elevation of the sea bed
• Elevation of the still water line (SWL)
• Kinematic reduction factor
• Crest position criterion
Preview of the wave surface profiles, velocities and accelerations at any point is readily available.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to explore the PSE® software.
