Fatigue reliability assessment of tubular joints of existing offshore structures

Abstract

Tubular joints of offshore structures are prone to fatigue damage. Because of uncertainties involved in quantifying the fatigue process in this type of structure, a reliability approach may be adopted to assess the risks of failure. In-service inspections of structures produce additional information, which may be taken into consideration in order to update the reliability. The paper reviews the methods for carrying out such reliability analyses based on principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics and applies them to a sample tubular joint. The results of this type of analyses may be used for inspection, planning, and (or) decision making regarding repairs or modification of the service life of a structure.Key words: fatigue, reliability, tubular joints, offshore structures, condition assessment.