Regression Formulations for the Stress at Hot Spot of Multiplanar Tubular DT Joints

- Stress concentration analysis of multiplanar tubular DT joints plays an important role in the fatigue design of offshore platforms. A semi-analytic method for stress analysis under the condition of any loads is briefly introduced in the paper. Nineteen multiplanar tubular DT joints with one of two braces of the same dimension subjected to axial loads and out- of- plane bending moments are computed for parametric stress analysis by using the present method. The influence of geometrical parameters on the stresses of multiplanar tubular DT joints is discussed and compared with corresponding uniplanar T joints. The regression formulae for the stress at hot spot of multiplanar DT joints are found by modification of SCF of corresponding uniplanar T joints. The parametric formulae for the maximum stress by superposition. Finally, the influences of stiffening effect and load-interaction effect on the maximum stress of DT joints are discussed.     

Local Joint Flexibility Multibrace Tubular Joints

The local joint flexibility matrix of multibrace tubular joints (uniplanar and multiplanar joints) is defined. The formulation for computing the elements of local flexibility factor matrix of multibrace tubular joints by semi- analytic method is presented in this paper. The stiffening effect of unloaded braces and cross-flexibility between braces are discussed. Using the local flexibility of unibrace joints instead of that of multibrace joints in conventional structural analysis will lead the result to an unsafe side.     

KK型管节点应力集中系数几何敏感性分析

KK型管节点是自升式平台桁架式桩腿中的一种管节点，其应力集中系数是影响桩腿疲劳寿命的重要参数。应力集中系数与管节点的几何形式密切相关，为分析KK型管节点应力集中系数对几何参数的敏感性，利用ANSYS软件对某KK型管节点进行几何参数化建模，利用有限元数值模拟方法对各工况下的热点应力进行分析，并分别计算各相应工况下的名义应力，然后将热点应力与名义应力相比得到不同几何参数下的热点应力集中系数。对计算结果进行整理分析，得到了KK型管节点应力集中系数对无量纲几何参数的敏感性规律。结果表明，应力集中系数与撑杆受力状态、管节点结构形式有关，在满足结构布置、建造工艺和其他安全性指标的前提下，分析结果能够为KK型管节点的结构设计和疲劳分析提供技术支撑。     

Stress concentration factors (SCFs) of bulge formed K-joints under balanced axial loads

A novel stiffened joint called bulge formed joint was put forward. Compared with the unstiffened joint, an additional bulge plate is utilized to connect the chord and braces. Based on the finite element (FE) and experimental method, stress concentration factors (SCFs) were investigated for both a bulge formed K-joints and the corresponding unstiffened joint. By the verification of experimental data, the FE models were used to investigate the SCFs of the bulge formed joints. The maximum SCF of the bulge formed K-joint under balanced axial loads is located at the position φ = 105°, which is close to but not exactly the saddle. The SCFs around the intersection weld can decrease remarkably compared with the unstiffened joint by the change of geometrical parameters of the bulge plate. Then 2117 FE analyses were conducted to investigate the geometrical effects on SCFs of the bulge formed joint. These dimensionless geometrical parameters include τ_s, η₁, η₂, θ, β, γ, τ, among which, the first three parameters are typical of the bulge formed joints, while the others are same as the definitions in the unstiffened joints. Finally, a set of SCF parametric formulas were obtained by nonlinear regression analyses.     

TY型管节点局部柔度的参数分析及试验研究

由于海洋平台管节点的局部柔度对平台结构的静动力性能有重要影响，如何确定各类管节点的局部柔度成为一个重要的研究课题。本文用半解析方法计算了海洋平台中一类常见的管节点──ＴＹ型管节点的局部柔度，并用回归方法得出了计算ＴＹ型管节点局部柔度矩阵中各元素的参数公式。本文还介绍了对一组ＴＹ型管节点ＰＶＣ塑料模型进行的局部柔度试验。参数公式计算结果与模型试验结果的比较表明，本文得出的参数公式是基本可靠的，建议可在海洋平台总体结构分析中使用。     

Parametric Analysis and Experimental Study on Local Flexibility of TY-Type Tubular Joints

Loal flexibility of tubular joints has important effect on the static and dynamic behaviour of offshore platforms, therefore, the determination of it becomes an important research subject in the field of offshore engineering. In this paper, the local flexibility of TY-type tubular joints, which are widely used in offshore platforms, is calculated by using semi- analytical method. Based on the calculated results, parametric formulae for evaluating element in the local joint flexibility matrix of TY- type tubular joints are derived by regression. A test on PVC models of TY-type tubular joints to measure the local joint flexibility is also reported. A comparison of the results calculated from the parametric formulae presented in this paper with those measured from the model test shows that the parametric formulae are reliable. It is recommended that these formulae be used in the global structural analysis of offshore platforms.     

An Improved Formulation for the Ultimate Static Strength of Tubular Joints subjected to Combined Loads

"The effect of interaction of loads on the ultimate static strength of tubular joints of offshore fixed platforms, is a practical problem. But there is still absence of rigorous theory to explain available experimental data and empirical criteria for the static strength of tubular joints. The idea of yield at hot spot of tubular joints is introduced in this paper. The interaction equations of plastic capacity for the tubular joints under combined loads (two and three different kinds) are derived. Thereafter the Yura's test data and empirical criteria of ultimate static strength for the tubular joints can be explained. The idea of classification of category of loads in accordance with experimental data and the present theory is suggested. Finally, the improved ultimate capacity equations for tubular joints are recommended. The physical significance of the coefficient of plastic reservation Qp is discussed.     

Truss Spar平台桁架管节点疲劳分析

Truss Spar平台在风、浪、流的作用下,结构受力十分复杂,准确分析其疲劳强度相当困难。通过建立Truss Spar平台三维有限元模型,利用HydroD软件进行载荷预报、波浪搜索,得到产生最大应力幅响应的最不利浪向和相位角。运用Sestra软件进行整体有限元分析,得到的结果作为桁架管节点细化模型的边界条件,再用Nastran软件进行局部分析求得节点的热点应力,修正壁厚影响。最后根据DNV规范的S-N曲线计算了管节点的疲劳寿命。     

A Ring Model for Limit Analysis of Spatial XX Tubular Joints

-A ring model is developed to investigate the ultimate strength of tubular X and XX joints in the case that the brace is compressed. In the present analysis, the tubular joint is made of elasto-perfectly-plastic material, and the arch element of the chord section intersecting with the brace is assumed to be rigid. It is found that when 6 plastic hinges for X joint and 8 plastic hinges Tor XX joint appear in the ring, the limit state is reached, and by means of the equivalent ring width Be formula proposed in a previous paper by the authors, the ultimate strength of tubular X and XX joints subjected to compression can be obtained.     

Structural Analysis of Platforms with the Effect of Joint Flexibility

- A modified space beam element is presented in this paper to consider the local joint flexibility of T, Y tubular joints subjected to axial forces and in- plane bending moments for analysis of platforms. Two numerical examples are shown to verify the efficiency and validity of the method presented here.     

Stress Analysis of Spatial Non-Concurrent Tubular Joints

The formulations of analytic-numerical method for the stress analysis of non-concurrent spatial tubular joints are introduced in the paper. The spatial DT joints with different eccentricity in the vertical diametrical plane of chord are computed. Finally the influence of eccentricity on the stress at possible hot spots is discussed.     

Probabilistic analysis of the DoB in axially-loaded tubular KT-joints of offshore structures

The degree of bending (DoB) characterizing the through-the-thickness stress distribution has a profound effect on the fatigue behavior of tubular joints commonly found in steel offshore structures and the determination of DoB values is essential for improving the accuracy of fatigue life estimation. Probability density functions of the involved random variables are necessary for the fatigue reliability analysis of offshore structures. The objective of present research was the derivation of probability density function (PDF) for the DoB in tubular KT-joints commonly found in jacket-type offshore platforms. A total of 162 finite element (FE) analyses were carried out on 81 FE models of KT-joints subjected to two types of axial loading. Generated FE models were validated using experimental data, previous FE results, and available parametric equations. Based on the results of parametric FE study, a sample database was prepared for the DoB values and density histograms were generated for respective samples based on the Freedman-Diaconis rule. Thirteen theoretical PDFs were fitted to the developed histograms and the maximum likelihood (ML) method was applied to evaluate the parameters of fitted PDFs. In each case, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to evaluate the goodness of fit. Finally, the Generalized Extreme Value model was proposed as the governing probability distribution function for the DoB. After substituting the values of estimated parameters, six fully defined PDFs were presented for the DoB in tubular KT-joints subjected to two types of axial loading.     

Nonlinear joint flexibility element for the modeling of jacket-type offshore platforms

A new nonlinear two-dimensional tubular joint element is developed in this study on the basis of flexibility equations and the interaction between the axial force and the in-plane bending moment in the joint. Empirical equations are used to define the joint yielding in the axial direction and the in-plane rotation. An elastic-perfectly plastic yield function is adopted to include the combined effects of axial loads and bending moments on the yielding of the joint. The element formulation is straightforward, and it can readily be implemented in nonlinear finite element programs. Verification studies are carried out for the element to prove its suitability for the modeling of tubular joints of offshore jacket structures. It is concluded that the nonlinear joint model that has been developed produces accurate results, verified against experimental data as well as against sophisticated multi-axial finite element joint models.     

张力腿平台局部节点强度可靠度分析方法

局部节点可靠度分析对张力腿平台(TLP)整体安全性评估具有重要意义。提出了一个TLP平台局部节点可靠度的分析方法,首先对TLP平台整体进行分析,统计局部节点各种失效模式并得到典型失效模式及对应的典型荷载工况;然后应用改进的子模型技术对TLP平台局部节点进行极限承载能力分析,确定了局部节点在典型荷载工况下的极限承载力;对局部节点极限承载力及南海某区域的波浪荷载进行统计分析,得到其概率统计特性;在此基础上计算了TLP平台局部节点对应典型失效模式下的可靠度指标。通过算例分析表明,该TLP平台各节点可靠度指标值均大于3.1;立柱与浮箱连接节点在不同荷载工况下失效模式不同,而立柱与甲板连接节点易发生管交汇处剪切破坏。为TLP平台的安全性评估提供了一种有效的分析方法,具有一定的理论价值及实用价值。     

Fatigue Behaviour of Tubular Joints Made of China-Made Platform Steel

In China, a nationwide research program on fatigue behaviour of tubular joints made of China-made platform steel was carried out from 1983 to 1990, which was set by the Tubular Joint Research Committee for Offshore Structures (TJCOS) of China. This paper gives an outline of the basic properties of the China-made platform steel and fatigue test of tubular joints, including test specimens, test particulars and test results. A p-S-N curve based on the test results was established which reveals that the fatigue strength of tubular joints is fairly good. The thickness effect and effect of corrosion on fatigue strength in sea water are briefly discussed.     

Parametric study of geometrical effects on the degree of bending (DoB) in offshore tubular K-joints under out-of-plane bending loads

In this paper, results of comprehensive finite element (FE) analyses carried out on 81 generated models of tubular K-joints are presented. Results of FE models were verified against experimental data and parametric equations. The fatigue life of a tubular joint, which is commonly found in offshore industry, is not only dependent on the value of hot-spot stress (HSS), but is also significantly influenced by the through-the-thickness stress distribution characterized by the degree of bending (DoB). Data extracted from FE analyses was used to study the effects of geometrical parameters on the DoB values in tubular K-joints subjected to two types of out-of-plane bending (OPB) moment loads. The determination of DoB values in a tubular joint is essential for improving the accuracy of fatigue life estimation using the stress-life (S–N) method and particularly for predicting the fatigue crack growth based on the fracture mechanics (FM) approach. Geometrically parametric investigation was followed by a set of nonlinear regression analyses to develop DoB parametric formulas for the fatigue analysis of K-joints under OPB loadings.     

Research on Analytical Method of Fatigue Characteristics of Soft Yoke Mooring System Based on Full-Scale Measurement

By focusing on the vulnerability of the structure of marine equipments, together with considering the randomness of meta-ocean load in statistics, a kind of analytical method of fatigue characteristics of marine structure based on full-scale and actual measurement of prototype is proposed. On the basis of short-term field measurement results of structural response, research is carried out on the fatigue analysis of hinge joints at the upper part of the Soft Yoke single point Mooring System (SYMS) by simultaneously monitoring the environmental load and considering the design criteria of offshore structure. Through analysis of finite element modeling, the time-histories of typical stress response are obtained, and then the assessment of fatigue damage at key hinge joints is conducted. The simulation results indicate that the proposed method can accurately analyze the fatigue damage of offshore engineering structure caused by the effect of wave load. The present analytical method of fatigue characteristics can be extended on other offshore engineering structures subjected to meta-ocean load.     

On the energy dissipation of jacket type offshore platforms with different pile–leg interactions

In recent years, considerable amount of effort has been made to design earthquake resistant offshore structures in seismic active areas. In order to achieve this objective, all components of a typical structure should function properly to dissipate seismically-induced energy within the members. Among components of an offshore installation, braces are of significant importance as they contribute substantially to total energy dissipation of the structure. Buckling in compression and yielding in tension assist the process of energy absorption. Nevertheless, the functionality of braces is dependent upon their joints where joint-cans are included to avoid any brittle fracture and unpredicted failure mechanisms.In this paper, special attention is being paid to energy dissipation of jacket type offshore platforms with two different pile–leg interactions. A case study representing an offshore platform is studied both analytically and experimentally. Analytical models are validated step by step based on available experimental tests and observations on individual members. Several parameters such as cyclic behavior, maximum bearing load and most importantly energy dissipation of two different 2D frames are investigated. Results provide promising insights into design and fabrication of fixed platforms with different pile–leg interactions.     

Fatigue Test of Homemade Z Direction Steel Welded T Tubular Joints

This paper introduces the process and result of fatigue test of steel (Z direction steel) welded T tubular joints used in offshore engineering. Detailed measurement of stress concentration factor, stress distribution, fatigue life and crack development has been performed. Through analysis, an empirical formula of stress concentration factor for T tubular joints, fatigue S-N curve and crack propagation rule are obtained.     

Multiaxial fatigue analyses of stress joints for deepwater steel catenary risers

In the present study, the dynamic and fatigue characteristics of two types of stress joints are investigated under ocean environmental condition. Connected with the riser and the platform, stress joint at the vessel hang-off position should be one of the main critical design challenges for a steel catenary riser (SCR) in deepwater. When the riser is under a high pressure and deepwater working condition, the stress state for the joint is more complex, and the fatigue damage is easy to occur at this position. Stress joint discussed in this paper includes two types: Tapered Stress Joint (TSJ) and Sleeved Stress Joint (SSJ), and multiaxial fatigue analysis results are given for comparison. Global dynamic analysis for an SCR is performed first, and then the local boundary conditions obtained from the previous analysis are applied to the stress joint FE model for the later dynamic and multiaxial fatigue analysis. Results indicate that the stress level is far lower than the yield limit of material and the damage induced by fatigue needs more attention. Besides, the damage character of the two types of stress joints differs: for TSJ, the place where the stress joint connects with the riser is easy to occur fatigue damage; for SSJ, the most probable position is at the place where the end of the inner sleeve pipe contacts with the riser body. Compared with SSJ, TSJ shows a higher stress level but better fatigue performance, and it will have a higher material cost. In consideration of various factors, designers should choose the most suitable type and also geometric parameters.