Structural Connection Fatigue Evaluation Methodology Using Time Domain Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagar Samaria ◽  
Bob Zhang ◽  
Sudhakar Tallavajhula ◽  
Johyun Kyoung
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Stress Range ◽  
Repair Work ◽  
Structural Fatigue ◽  
Structural Connections ◽  
Structural Connection

Abstract There is an ever-increasing demand for life extension of existing floating platforms worldwide. To adequately support these life extension projects there is a need to predict fatigue life of floating structures more accurately using a time domain approach. However, structural fatigue damage calculations using time domain response analysis can be very time consuming and challenging. An efficient and effective structural analysis methodology is developed to calculate accumulated fatigue damage for structural connections in a floating offshore platform using a response-based time domain routine. The methodology discussed in this paper can be applied to estimate fatigue life for hull critical connections in floaters such as Spars, TLPs or Semis as well as local structural supports such as mooring foundations and riser foundations. It also provides the option to generate stress histograms that can be utilized for Fracture Mechanics Evaluation (FME) of welds in structural connections. To calculate the accumulated fatigue damage at desired locations on a floating platform, the time domain analysis employs a Stress Intensification Factor (SIF) which correlates global loads with local stresses. In cases where a crack initiation is observed on a structural connection, fracture mechanics is used to evaluate the structural integrity of the weld. The FME requires fatigue stress range histograms as one of the input parameters. The stress ranges and cycles that are calculated and used to compute the fatigue damage using this methodology can be converted to stress range histograms which can then be used in the FME. The standard method to compute fatigue damage for a structural connection is by using an S-N fatigue approach under the assumption of linear cumulative damage (Palmgren-Miner rule). The methodology discussed in this paper uses a rainflow counting algorithm to effectively calculate the stress range and cycles which are then utilized for computing the fatigue damage. This methodology can be applied to green field projects involving a new design or for life of field studies of an existing platform requiring life extensions. It is particularly beneficial for brownfield projects where more accurate re-evaluation of fatigue life is needed. It can also provide Clients with reliable Engineering Criticality Assessments (ECA) and enable them to plan in-service inspections and repair work. As an application, a typical truss connection for a Spar platform is used to evaluate structural fatigue damage and generate the stress range histogram for FME. Also, a comparative study is performed for a typical truss connection fatigue damage result between the traditional approach used and the method discussed in this paper.

Time Domain Fatigue Life Analysis of Offshore Jacket Structure

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Support Structure ◽  
Structural Fatigue ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Fatigue Life Analysis ◽  
Stress Concentration Factors ◽  
The Time Domain

Abstract Offshore wind system encountered wind, wave, current, soil, and other environmental loads. The support structure is randomly loaded for a long time, which is more likely to cause fatigue damage. In this paper, the NREL 5MW wind turbine and OC4 jacket support structure is selected to perform the time domain fatigue analysis. Commercial software Bladed and SACS are used to perform the required structural responses and fatigue strength calculations. The Stress Concentration Factors (SCF) and S-N curves for the stress calculations of tubular joints are adopted based on the recommendation of DNV GL guidelines. The magnitude of the stress variation range and the corresponding number of counts are obtained by using the rain-flow counting algorithm. Finally, the Palmgren-Miner’s rule is adopted to calculate the cumulative damage ratio and the fatigue life can then be estimated. Fatigue damage ratio and structural fatigue life of each joint during 20 years of operation period are evaluated.

Analysis on the Fatigue Life of Asphalt Pavement under Traffic Flow Loads

2013 ◽  
Vol 361-363 ◽  
pp. 1727-1734
Author(s):  
Meng Qi Gao ◽  
Ping Ying Wang ◽  
He Ping Ding
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Fatigue Fracture ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Asphalt Pavement ◽  
Ansys Software ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Damage Area ◽  
Traffic Loads ◽  
Damage Rule

To study the fatigue life of asphalt pavement under traffic loads, a 3-D finite element analysis (FEA) Visio-elastic road model was established on the layered theory with ANSYS software. The fatigue damage was calculated with the maximum horizontal tensile strain of asphalt layer bottom based on the fatigue fracture mechanics, when single axis went across. Then the fatigue life was obtained after the fatigue damage occurred in some degree by the Miners linear cumulative damage rule. The results show that it taken 3.4 years when the damage area reached 10% of wheel path area, and 4.5years when reached 45%; while the calculated result was 5.5 years by axial-load conversion method. The analysis shows that the fatigue life of asphalt pavement calculated by fatigue fracture mechanics rule has more significance in practice.

scholarly journals Prediction of Fatigue Life of a Continuous Bridge Girder Based on Vehicle Induced Stress History

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 325-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.G. Rao ◽  
S. Talukdar
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Fatigue Testing ◽  
Damage Index ◽  
Time History ◽  
Stress Range ◽  
Frequency Histogram ◽  
Bridge Span ◽  
History Of ◽  
Bridge Girder

The fatigue damage assessment of bridge components by conducting a full scale fatigue testing is often prohibitive. A need, therefore, exists to estimate the fatigue damage in bridge components by a simulation of bridge-vehicle interaction dynamics due to the action of the actual traffic. In the present paper, a systematic method has been outlined to find the fatigue damage in the continuous bridge girder based on stress range frequency histogram and fatigue strength parameters of the bridge materials. Vehicle induced time history of maximum flexural stresses has been obtained by Monte Carlo simulation process and utilized to develop the stress range frequency histogram taking into consideration of the annual traffic volume. The linear damage accumulation theory is then applied to calculate cumulative damage index and fatigue life of the bridge. Effect of the bridge span, pavement condition, increase of vehicle operating speed, weight and suspension characteristics on fatigue life of the bridge have been examined.

Advances in Offshore Structural Analysis Using Response-Based Time-Domain Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johyun Kyoung ◽  
Sagar Samaria ◽  
Jeffrey O’Donnell ◽  
Sudhakar Tallavajhula
Keyword(s):  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Structural Strength ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Environmental Loads ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
The Time Domain

Abstract Demand for life extension assessments of floating offshore platforms continues to grow worldwide. Conventional structural analysis methods have limited ability to accurately capture non-linear environmental loading, non-linear loading by the mooring and riser systems, and resulting higher order hull responses. The uncertainties are typically managed by the factors of safety applied in the structural analysis. Time domain structural analyses have long promised to improve analysis accuracy and reduce these uncertainties. This paper describes a comprehensive and practical time domain structural analysis methodology applied to a deep-water semi-submersible-type floating platform including results for structural strength and fatigue. In addition, the time domain structural analysis was extended for use in fracture mechanics and the assessment of notional weld flaws to facilitate specification of impactful non-destructive examination (NDE). Present time domain structural analysis methodology employs a response-based finite element analysis (FEA) conducted in the time domain. All external environmental loads and inertial forces are converted to a response-based stress-time history. Previously, conventional time domain structural analysis involves massive computation resources to resolve solutions at every time interval. Present methodology significantly improves computational efficiency to be practical in real-world problems. The improvement is achieved by decomposing the structural response into a set of multiple load components selected on the bases of function for hull motion response and environmental loadings. Structural response in time domain is directly obtained by synthesizing the load components. An actual time domain structural response is captured effectively and efficiently to simulate the strength and fatigue criterion for the structure with consistent environmental loads and hull responses. Utilizing the level of detail provided by the time domain structural analysis methodology, a fracture mechanics evaluation of notional initial flaws (engineering criticality assessments – ECAs) can be conducted providing meaningful technical basis for in-service NDE and life extension assessments. The procedures for fatigue crack growth and fracture documented in BS 7910 were employed to derive the smallest initial flaws (critical initial flaws) that may result in structural failure during a facility's lifetime. A comparison indicates that conventional structural analysis methods provide conservative results for both structural strength and fatigue damage calculations resulting from the linear assumption of environmental loads and hull responses. Present time domain structural analysis methodology provides an innovative, cutting-edge approach providing accuracy and fewer uncertainties, which can be pragmatically used during a typical project.

Engineering Criticality Assessments of Floating Offshore Platforms Based on Time Domain Structural Response Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey O’Donnell ◽  
Johyun Kyoung ◽  
Sagar Samaria ◽  
Anil Sablok
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Offshore Platforms ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Offshore Industry ◽  
Integrity Assessments

Abstract This paper presents a time-domain S-N fatigue analysis and an approach to reliable and robust engineering criticality assessments to supplement or provide an alternative to S-N fatigue assessments of offshore platform structures based on time domain structural response analysis. It also provides recommendations for industry standards to improve guidance for structural integrity assessments of offshore platforms using fracture mechanics. Demand continues to grow in the offshore industry to attain value from captured operational data for a number of purposes, including the reduction of uncertainties in structural integrity assessments during design and over the operational lifetime of floating offshore platforms. Recent advances in time domain structural analysis technology demonstrate substantially more accurate assessments of non-linear platform loadings and responses with enhanced computational efficiency. The current S-N approach for fatigue design and integrity assessments calculates a fatigue damage factor that does not address how loading occurs over time (ABS, DNVGL-RP-C203). For the present study, engineering criticality assessments (ECAs) based on fracture mechanics theory (BS 7910) are applied utilizing time-domain loading information theory. The ECA returns the smallest initial flaws that can grow to a critical size during a design lifetime, which can serve as an indicator of acceptability during design, a technical basis for in-service inspection intervals and facilitates asset integrity and life extension assessments. Critical initial flaws are calculated using the Paris Law (BS 7910) and cumulative fatigue crack growth in two ways: with and without an integrated and consistent check for fracture instability. The results are compared with those from S-N fatigue analyses and recommendations are provided.

scholarly journals A Theoretical Approach to Predict the Fatigue Life of Flexible Pipes

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Renato M. de Sousa ◽  
Fernando J. M. de Sousa ◽  
Marcos Q. de Siqueira ◽  
Luís V. S. Sagrilo ◽  
Carlos Alberto D. de Lemos
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Flexible Pipe ◽  
Stress Effects ◽  
Flexible Pipes ◽  
Counting Methods ◽  
Mean Stresses

This paper focuses on a theoretical approach to access the fatigue life of flexible pipes. This methodology employs functions that convert forces and moments obtained in time-domain global analyses into stresses in their tensile armors. The stresses are then processed by well-known cycle counting methods, andS-Ncurves are used to evaluate the fatigue damage at several points in the pipe’s cross-section. Finally, Palmgren-Miner linear damage hypothesis is assumed in order to calculate the accumulated fatigue damage. A study on the fatigue life of a flexible pipe employing this methodology is presented. The main points addressed in the study are the influence of friction between layers, the effect of the annulus conditions, the importance of evaluating the fatigue life in various points of the pipe’s cross-section, and the effect of mean stresses. The results obtained suggest that the friction between layers and the annulus conditions strongly influences the fatigue life of flexible pipes. Moreover, mean stress effects are also significant, and at least half of the wires in each analyzed section of the pipe must be considered in a typical fatigue analysis.

A Fast and Practical Method for Predicting the Fatigue Life of Offshore Wind Turbine Jacket Support Structures

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoshuai Han ◽  
Yongliang Ma ◽  
Xianqiang Qu ◽  
Peijiang Qin ◽  
Binbin Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Computational Effort ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Turbine ◽  
Wave Loads ◽  
Support Structures

Fatigue assessment is a very important part in the design process of offshore wind turbine support structures subjected to wind and wave loads. Fully coupled time domain simulations due to wind and wave loads can potentially provide reliable fatigue predictions, however, it will take high computational effort to carry out fatigue analysis of the simultaneous wind and wave response of the support structure in time domain. For convenience and reducing computational efforts, a fast and practical method is proposed for predicting the fatigue life of offshore wind turbine jacket support structures. Wind induced fatigue is calculated in the time domain using ANSYS based on rainflow counting, and wave induced fatigue is computed in frequency domain using SACS based on a linear spectral analysis. Fatigue damage of X-joints and K-joints under combined environmental loads of wind and wave is estimated by using the proposed method. To verify the accuracy of the proposed formula, fatigue damage based on time domain rainflow cycle counting is calculated and can be considered as a reference. It is concluded that the proposed method provides reasonable fatigue damage predictions and can be adopted for evaluating the combined fatigue damage due to wind and wave loads in offshore wind turbine.

Controlled Weld Toe Profiles for Fatigue Life Extension of T-Butt Joints: An Application to FSOs & FPSOs

2008 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Efraín Rodríguez-Sánchez ◽  
Alejandro Rodríguez-Castellanos ◽  
Manuel F. Carbajal-Romero ◽  
Efrén Ayala-Uraga
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Fracture Mechanics ◽  
Fatigue Cracking ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Profile Control ◽  
Hull Structure ◽  
Weld Toe ◽  
Dry Dock

Application of controlled weld toe profiles can be considered an option to extend the fatigue life of welded connections when ongoing tankers are converted in dry docks to serve like offshore ships (FPSOs and FSOs). Very slim chances to implement such fatigue improvement will arise when these vessels are in service, since a converted ship is designed to be inspected, maintained, and repaired in situ and not in dry dock as it is uneconomical to interrupt production. Codes recognize fatigue life extension by means of a controlled weld toe profile (2004, NORSOK Standard N-004 Rev. 2 October). Application of a controlled weld toe profile during conversion in selected areas previously identified by stress analysis of the hull structure can lead to extend the converted vessel fatigue life to comply with an expected field life. The American Bureau of Shipping S-N curves allow a credit of 2.2 on fatigue life when suitable toe grinding and NDE are provided. A controlled weld toe profile can be applied during dry dock ship conversion to FSO or FPSO to welds in a noncracked condition but that were identified prone to fatigue cracking in a stress assessment analysis under new service conditions. Credit on fatigue life in various codes and results from experimental data obtained from fatigue tested specimens with a controlled weld toe profile are given. Comments on the design of a controlled weld toe profiles and recommendations based on experimental experience for the implementation of equipment to perform a controlled weld toe profile are also given. A fracture mechanics approach for the assessment of controlled weld toe profiles for fatigue life extension purposes is described. Initially, a comparison of stress concentration factors for a typical T-butt ship hull plate connection with and without weld toe profile control determined by finite element analysis (FEA) is presented. Results obtained from the FEA connection such as through plate stress distribution are used in a fracture mechanics analysis to compare the fatigue crack growth curve in as-welded condition to that with controlled weld toe profile. It is demonstrated that weld toe profile control is a feasible method to be implemented to improve fatigue life in the order of 2 of T-butt welded connections of ships, which are under conversion to serve as FPSOs or FSOs. This fatigue life extension factor should not be considered at the design stage.

Time Domain Structural Fatigue Analysis of Floating Offshore Platforms: A Response Based Technique

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johyun Kyoung ◽  
Sagar Samaria ◽  
Jang Whan Kim
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Method ◽  
Fatigue Damage ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Fatigue Analysis ◽  
Offshore Platform ◽  
Offshore Platforms ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Structural Fatigue ◽  
Non Linear

Abstract This paper presents a response-based, time-domain structural fatigue analysis of a floating offshore platform. The conventional technique for structural fatigue assessments of offshore platforms uses a linear, frequency-domain analysis based on the spectral method. Although this conventional method is computationally efficient, there is a room for improving accuracy and reducing uncertainties because it cannot accurately address non-linear loadings on the offshore platform. Such non-linear loads arise from the wave, wind, and current as well as from the riser and mooring systems; these non-linearities necessitate large factors of safety that lead to conservative design and frequent inspection. As an extension of previous work (Kyoung et al.[12]), this study presents the development of a time-domain, structural fatigue analysis that explicitly addresses non-linear loading on the platform. The external load time-histories are directly mapped onto the structure at every time interval to create a stress-based response with the varying environment. In each time step, the load mapping accurately captures the phase relationship between the external loading and hull inertial response. Therefore, present method reduces uncertainties in the fatigue damage computation and overcomes the assumptions of spectral method. Present load component-based approach is applied onto a finite element structural model, which provides unit structural response at locations of interest. Time history of structural response is obtained by synthesizing the obtained unit stress-based structural response with environmental loading and platform motion response. Fatigue damage can be computed from the obtained time series of structural response using rain-flow counting. As an application, a conventional semisubmersible platform is used to evaluate structural fatigue damage for a given wave scatter diagram. A comparison between results from this response-based time-domain approach and the conventional spectral method is presented.

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