This document contains requirements for defining the seismic design procedures and criteria for offshore structures; guidance on the requirements is included in Annex A. The requirements focus on fixed steel offshore structures and fixed concrete offshore structures. The effects of seismic events on floating structures and partially buoyant structures are briefly discussed. The site-specific assessment of jack-ups in elevated condition is only covered in this document to the extent that the requirements are applicable.

Only earthquake-induced ground motions are addressed in detail. Other geologically induced hazards such as liquefaction, slope instability, faults, tsunamis, mud volcanoes and shock waves are mentioned and briefly discussed.

The requirements are intended to reduce risks to persons, the environment, and assets to the lowest levels that are reasonably practicable. This intent is achieved by using:

a) seismic design procedures which are dependent on the exposure level of the offshore structure and the expected intensity of seismic events;

b) a two-level seismic design check in which the structure is designed to the ultimate limit state (ULS) for strength and stiffness and then checked to abnormal environmental events or the abnormal limit state (ALS) to ensure that it meets reserve strength and energy dissipation requirements.

Procedures and requirements for a site-specific probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) are addressed for offshore structures in high seismic areas and/or with high exposure levels. However, a thorough explanation of PSHA procedures is not included.

Where a simplified design approach is allowed, worldwide offshore maps, which are included in Annex B, show the intensity of ground shaking corresponding to a return period of 1 000 years. In such cases, these maps can be used with corresponding scale factors to determine appropriate seismic actions for the design of a structure, unless more detailed information is available from local code or site-specific study.

NOTE      For design of fixed steel offshore structures, further specific requirements and recommended values of design parameters (e.g. partial action and resistance factors) are included in ISO 19902, while those for fixed concrete offshore structures are contained in ISO 19903. Seismic requirements for floating structures are contained in ISO 19904, for site-specific assessment of jack-ups and other MOUs in the ISO 19905 series, for arctic structures in ISO 19906 and for topsides structures in ISO 19901‑3.