Author(s)

Luis Volnei Sudati Sagrilo,

Abstract

-This paper proposes the practical application of a reliability-based procedure for fatigue inspection planning of fixed offshore structures. This procedure is based on a simplified probabilistic crack growth model for welded tubular joints available in the literature, which encompasses fracture mechanics and S-N curves and uses the results of the original fatigue design. Current techniques for reliability updating are implemented to re-evaluate the fatigue failure probability after inspection campaigns. Target reliability values are defined to be compatible with the simplicity of the procedure. Actual applications illustrate the inspection costs reduction that can be obtained. INTRODUCTION Fatigue is an important limit state in the desig

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