Applicability of WaveWatch-III wave model to fatigue assessment of offshore floating structures

In design and operation of floating offshore structures, one has to avoid fatigue failures caused by action of ocean waves. The aim of this paper is to investigate the applicability of WaveWatch-III wave model to fatigue assessment of offshore floating structures. The applicability was investigated for Bluewaters’ FPSO (Floating Production,...

Simplified Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Wind Turbine Full Height Lattice Structures in the Frequency Domain

New concepts for support structures of offshore wind turbines have gained interest in the industry and are examined for intermediate and deep water depths in order to unlock new offshore potential markets. One of the main proposals that has already been commercialized is the three or four leg full height lattice structure. The fatigue assessment...

Fatigue Assessment of Prestressed Concrete Slab-Between-Girder Bridges

In the Netherlands, the assessment of existing prestressed concrete slab-between-girder bridges has revealed that the thin, transversely prestressed slabs may be critical for static and fatigue punching when evaluated using the recently introduced Eurocodes. On the other hand, compressive membrane action increases the capacity of these slabs,...

Retrofit fatigue cracked diaphragm cutouts using improved geometry in orthotropic steel decks

Diaphragm cutouts are set to release redundant constraints and hence reduce weld fatigue at the connection of U-ribs to diaphragms in orthotropic steel decks. However, most fatigue cracks which originate from the edge of cutouts are in fact detected in the diaphragms. Therefore, a retrofit technology on cracked cutouts at the diaphragm is...

Semi-submersible structural design: Strength and fatigue assessment of a twin-pontoon semi-submersible with different bracing configurations

Semi-submersibles are common vessels in the offshore sector. These vessels usually have a bracing structure to restrain floater movement and to support the deckbox structure. The bracing configuration influences strength, fatigue and other semi-submersible parameters. The first assignment objective was to study the structural design impact on a...

Machine Learning-Assisted probabilistic fatigue evaluation of Rib-to-Deck joints in orthotropic steel decks

This study integrates the fatigue test and numerical prediction to derive a comprehensive probability-stress-life (P-S-N) curve for rib-to-deck (RD) welded joints in orthotropic steel decks. Fatigue tests of RD joints are conducted to measure fatigue strength and crack growth data. Based on the test, a probabilistic fatigue crack growth (PFCG...

Development of a dynamic model of a nautical radar on a mast structure for fatigue damage analysis

Nautical radar systems are subjected to random vibrations during their service life, which may lead to the degradation of the materials and a possible fatigue failure. Assessing the impact of these vibrations to the structural integrity of the radar is crucial for drafting appropriate maintenance plans and therefore, the development of a new...

Developing health indicators for composite structures based on a two-stage semi-supervised machine learning model using acoustic emission data

Composite structures are highly valued for their strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and versatility, making them ideal for a variety of applications, including aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure. However, potential damage scenarios like impact, fatigue, and corrosion can lead to premature failure and pose a threat to safety. This...

Optimizing the assessment of fatigue in inverted T-girder bridges: A parametric study of the factors influencing the fatigue analysis of concrete under compression

With the continuous increase in transportation volume, bridges face the challenge of carrying higher traffic loads. As a result, bridges undergo fatigue due to repeated and increasing loads, leading to progressive deterioration of their structural reliability. While existing codes already account for several variables affecting the concrete's...