PART THREE - SYNTHESIS OF CONCEPTS 
by D. A. Davis 
DESCRIPTION OF CONCEPTS 
In the ensuing discussion, various platform concepts are described. 
In this initial phase of concept definition, a concerted effort is 
made to include a wide spectrum of ideas and approaches. Concepts which 
appear weak now may develop later into promising approaches to satisfy 
unique requirements. Pros and cons of the various concepts as well as 
operational and constructional deficiencies are discussed. 
Candidates were classified according to their buoyancy elements into 
the three basic types defined below. 
Platform Definition 
Elevated single or multi-story decks sup- 
ported on vertical, hollow 
buoyant legs (also called columns 
or piles. 
single or multi-story decks sup- 
ported on barge-type hulls. 
Semi-Submersible single or multi-story decks sup- 
ported on vertical legs atop 
submerged horizontal pontoons. 
All suggested configurations not falling into one of the above defini- 
tions were grouped into a separate section. 
Elevated Platforms 
The most obvious feature of this concept (Figure 3.1) is the many 
various vertical buoyant elements possible for supporting the deck. 
De-coupling from the sea is achieved by reduction of the water plane 
area relative to the mass of the platform. This idea is not new. In 
1924 Armstrong patented a concept for a floating airdrome that he 
envisioned as a refueling station for trans-Atlantic aircraft (Engineer- 
ing News-Record, 1946). His platform, constructed of steel, resembled 
that depicted in Figure 3.1. 
