Fatigue and fracture reliability and maintainability of TLP tendons. [Fatigue and fracture analysis of offshore, tension leg platform tendons]

Journal Article · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2920103· OSTI ID:5965418

Kung, C J ^[1]; Wirsching, P H ^[2]

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1. American Bureau of Shipping, New York, NY (United States)
2. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (United States). Dept. of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

A tension leg platform (TLP) tendon system experiences oscillatory tensile stresses, and therefore is vulnerable to fatigue and fracture. Because design factors have significant uncertainty, a reliability analysis to quantify structural performance is appropriate. A maintenance program of periodic inspection and repair shows promise for improving system reliability and enhancing structural integrity. The performance of a TLP tendon system was simulated in order to study the relationship of design factors to system reliability. Effects on system reliability and maintenance performance (repair and replacement rates) can be studied as a function of (a) number of joints, J; (b) number of members, M; (c) inspection frequency; (d) inspection sensitivity as defined by the POD (probability of detection) curve; (e) ultimate strength; (f) repair policy; etc. The performance of an initially damaged or flawed tendon system is investigated. The reliability of a system that uses pressurized tendons to detect through-thickness cracks is studied, as is the vulnerability of the tendon system before replacement of broken tendons.

• OSTI ID: 5965418
• Journal Information: Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering; (United States) Vol. 115:2; ISSN 0892-7219; ISSN JMOEEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
423000* -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
CRACK PROPAGATION
DESIGN
DYNAMIC LOADS
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
FATIGUE
INSPECTION
JOINTS
MAINTENANCE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OFFSHORE SITES
RELIABILITY
REPAIR
STRESS ANALYSIS
STRESSES
STRUCTURAL BEAMS
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
ULTIMATE STRENGTH
WAVE FORCES
WELDED JOINTS