Enhancing the Precision of Fatigue Analysis for Crucial Jacket Tubular Joints

Abstract

Abstract Offshore jackets and towers are examples of lightweight support structures for wind energy and oil and gas units. However, their reduced weight is obtained at the expense of increased susceptibility to fatigue failure because of their many welded connections. This study addresses the limitations of traditional analysis methods that primarily rely on parametric Stress Concentration Factors (SCFs) and basic beam theory, often leading to overly conservative outcomes, and proposes a methodology to revolutionize the fatigue analysis process by enabling the rapid creation of detailed 3D Finite Element (FE) models for tubular joints in a short time duration. The paper presents a comprehensive comparison between the advanced shell fatigue analysis and traditional beam methods, highlighting the former's superior accuracy in evaluating stress concentrations in complex joint geometries, thereby offering more precise predictions of fatigue damage. Through extensive case studies, the effectiveness of this advanced approach in accurately predicting fatigue damage in offshore jacket structures is demonstrated, showcasing its alignment with international standards like DNV-RP-C203 and significantly enhancing the precision of fatigue analysis. The study contributes to the offshore industry by improving safety and reliability, offering cost-effective design and maintenance strategies and facilitates the adoption of sophisticated analytical methods. This research offers an innovative methodology in fatigue analysis methods for offshore structures, setting a new benchmark for safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced practices in the offshore sector, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability and operational success of these crucial installations.