A Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Meshless Methods for the Design Verification of a Water Injection Bullhead Pump Offshore Skid

Abstract

The structural integrity of portable offshore units is critical for ensuring safety and operational reliability in harsh marine environments. Stringent design verification according to standards like DNVGL-ST-E273 is therefore mandatory. While traditional verification methods are well-established, their inherent conservatism may lead to over-engineering. This paper presents a comparative structural verification of a water injection bullhead pump skid using two distinct approaches: a conventional spreadsheet-based calculation based on the OffCon DNV 2006 tool and a modern meshless analysis conducted with Altair Simsolid. The analysis was performed in accordance with the DNVGL-ST-E273 standard. Both methodologies successfully confirmed that the skid's structural design, including padeye strength and overall frame deflection, meets all required safety criteria. However, the results revealed a significant variance in conservatism; the traditional spreadsheet method yielded stress and deflection predictions that were approximately 25% more conservative than those from the high-fidelity meshless analysis. The findings validate the skid's fitness for service while also demonstrating that advanced meshless methods can provide a more precise and less conservative assessment than traditional techniques. This suggests a significant potential for optimizing future designs by reducing material usage and weight without compromising safety, highlighting the evolving role of high-fidelity simulation in modern engineering.