Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics of Offshore Structures

The tubular welded joints used in the construction of offshore structures can experience millions of variable amplitude load cycles during their service life. Such fatigue loading represents a main cause of degradation in these structures. As a result, fatigue is an important consideration in their design. Fatigue and Fracture Mechanisms of Offshore Structures present novel research and the results of wave-induced stress on the operational life of offshore structures. Containing results of an investigation undertaken to assess the fatigue and fracture performance of steels used in the offshore industry, Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics of Offshore Structures includes, Stress analysis of tubular joints Fatigue design Fatigue loading in Jackup structures Jack-up dynamic response Modelling of wave loading Test specimen considerations The stress intensity factor concept Variable amplitude crack growth models Consideration of sequence effects Sea state probability model The important research in this book will be of interest to those dealing with a wide range of engineering structures - from bridges and buildings to masts and pipelines, as well as fatigue and fracture specialists, and those concerned with materials technology.