State-of-the-art of crack propagation modelling in tubular joints

Abstract

Offshore structures are conventionally designed for a service life between 20-30 years and mostly used beyond their service life. They are operated up to the point where costs of operations, maintenance and repair exceed the revenue generated by the offshore structure. The cyclic nature of environmental loading induces multi-axial stresses with high gradients in welded tubular joints that lead to fatigue cracks emanating from imperfections in the welded materials. Tubular joints may exhibit significant residual life after fatigue cracks formation due to crack propagating around the weld circumference. It is important to understand tubular joints behaviour and estimate the residual life beyond crack initiation as it promotes the safe operation of the offshore installation, inspection planning and life extension of the asset. This paper presents an overview of the residual life estimation of cracked tubular joints using numerical methods. The recent developments and possible enhancements to the modelling methods of cracked tubular joints are presented.