Offshore Pipeline Dead Weight Meaning

[PRincez]

I'm working on an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection project offshore and the above subject came up. A corrosion expert wants us to bond pipeline systems to topside at the dead weight supports. I've never heard of this term before (i'm electrical biased) and would appreciate if you can provide answers / pointers to the below:

1). What is a dead weight in Structural engineering and where can I read about it?
2). Why is dead weight of a pipeline susceptible to poor electrical continuity poor at the riser support of a pipeline route? Is it because there is electrical isolation between the pipeline and the topside? Where are these isolations usually located?
3). What are the common offshore earth bonding straps for pipelines available in the market for earth bonding and also suitable for harsh offshore environment?
4). I understand that getting to certain areas of the pipeline route on the nodal requires rope access which is usually expensive and could it be avoided? such that the point for undertaking electrical continuity test is accessible on the top side. Can this access point be waived at the dead weight supports and brought upwards if permitted by the regulations?

Apologies if i'm asking silly questions but pointers or simple explanations will be helpful if you don't mind. I can provide further information if this is required.

Thanks.

 

[CBEngi]

If you have a rock which weighs 5 pounds, the "dead weight" is 5 pounds. If you have a rock which weights 5 pounds with 2 pounds of snow on top, the "dead weight" of the rock is still 5 pounds. Dead weight or as its often refereed to as "deal load" or "self-weight" is simply the objects own weight.

I'm not overly familiar with Pipeline's so I will refrain from answering any of the other questions.

 

[BUGGAR]

I've heard of "dead head" supports, which are those that are solidly fixed as you describe.