World Applied Sciences Journal 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

ISSN 1818-4952
IDOSI Publications, 2014
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.30.08.14126

Fatigue Assessment Analysis of Offshore Structures with

Application to an Existing Platform in Suez Gulf, Egypt
A.A. Khalifa, S.Y. Aboul Haggag and M.N. Fayed
Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract: Fatigue has long been recognized as an important consideration for designing offshore structures
and intensive cooperative industry research on tubular joints. In this paper, fatigue life assessment for single
side welded tubular joints of fixed platforms is numerically assessed as part of mitigation for platform life time.
The analysis procedures are presented for numerical fatigue assessment methods based on S-N curve approach
for API standard utilizing the simplified method and the spectral (stochastic) method. The wave scatter diagram
and the subsequent selection of characteristic individual wave height and period pairs for analysis purposes
have been calculated based on individual wave data collected in the Suez Gulf, Egypt. Applications have been
performed on a four-leg piled fixed type platforms located in Eastern and Southern blocks of the Suez Gulf,
Egypt in order to determine the fatigue life-time of the jacket tubular joints and to check the minimum factor of
safety achieved for each joint. The effects of current, jacket natural period and jacket stability on fatigue life
assessment have been investigated. The results are discussed and summarized through tables and plotted
figures.
Key words: API

Assessment

Fatigue

Jacket

Platforms

INTRODUCTION
Experience over the last 100 years and many
laboratory tests [1] have proven that a metal may fracture
at a relatively low stress if that stress is applied a great
number of times. It is known that sometimes a crack will
form and grow under the repeated action of applied
stresses that are lower than those required for yielding the
same material under unidirectional static loading. Such
fractures are referred to as fatigue failures. The initially
small crack formed at the point of high localized stress
grows or spreads until the remaining solid cross section
of the load-carrying member is not sufficient to transmit
the load and the member fractures. Offshore structures are
designed to resist continual wave loading which may lead
to significant fatigue damage on individual structural
members and other types of loads due to severe storms,
corrosion, fire and explosion etc. Fatigue life is one of the
major concerns for the offshore installations since the
utilization of tubular members gives rise to significantly
high stress concentrations in the joints. Most steel
Corresponding Author:

Suez Gulf

Tubular joints

offshore support structures are three-dimensional frames

fabricated from tubular steel members. This gives the best
compromise in satisfying the requirements of low drag
coefficient, high buoyancy and high strength to weight
ratio [2]. The most common used offshore structure is a
jacket structure, which comprises a prefabricated steel
support structure (jacket) extended from the sea bed
(connected with piles at the sea bed) to some height
above the water surface level and a steel deck (topside)
on the top of the jacket. Stacey [3] reported that fatigue
cracking has been a principal cause of damage to some
offshore jackets. Wave-induced dynamic force is one of
the most significant forces leading to fatigue of offshore
tubular structures. Fatigue has long been recognized as
an important consideration for designing offshore
structures and intensive cooperative industry research on
tubular joints has been carried out. The primary objective
for performing fatigue analysis of the platform is to
determine the relative sensitivity of platform components
to fatigue damage so that future inspection programs will
put more emphasis on those components that are more

S.Y. Aboul Haggag, Department of Structural Engineering,

Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

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World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

susceptible to fatigue damage. Research on the fatigue of

offshore structures has attracted much attention during
recent decades [4-12]. Nolte and Hansford [4] developed
closed-form mathematical expressions for determining
the fatigue damage of structures due to ocean waves.
These expressions incorporated relationships between the
wave height and the stress range, considering the stress
range versus the number of cycles to failure and the
probability distribution for the occurrence of wave
heights. Almar-Naess [5] discussed the most important
subjects related to fatigue of the offshore steel structures,
such as calculation of fatigue stresses and fatigue lives.
Dover and Madhava Rao [6] reviewed and summarized the
knowledge in the area of SCF (stress concentration
factor), fatigue and fracture mechanics of the tubular
joints, damage assessment and reliability analysis of
joints. Etube et al. [7] presented a modeling of jack-up
response for fatigue calculation. By analyzing a
mathematical model to obtain the transfer function of the
dynamic response for a typical jack-up platform, they
found out that the complex leg-soil interaction can be
adequately modeled using springs and assuming a rigid
foundation. The effect of translational spring is
insignificant and the leg-soil connection can be
satisfactorily treated as pinned. Ramachandra Murthy
et al. [8] and Gandhi et al. [9, 10] performed several
studies about fatigue of stiffened steel tubular joints,
such as corrosion fatigue and fatigue behaviors.
Vugts [11] discussed fatigue damage assessments and the
influence of wave directionality, investigated for a
rotationally symmetric structure (a vertical circular
cylinder) and presented quantitative results. Based on the
spectrum analysis theory, Shunfeng et al. [12] presented
a fatigue calculation of a tubular jacket structure located
in South China Sea. By investigating the transfer function
of joint stresses, it was concluded that the first order
mode provides a primary contribution to the dynamic
response and an appropriate selection of frequency and
bandwidth has remarkable effect on the structural
response. A practical jacket platform with an ice-breaking
cone in the Bohai Gulf was optimized by Li et al. [13] and
the results demonstrate that the fatigue life of tubular
joints could be improved and the weight of jackets
decreased simultaneously. Marco et al. [14] presented an
efficient nonlinear dynamic approach for calculating wave
induced fatigue damage of offshore structures and its
industrial applications for lifetime extension. In this study,
as a part of integrity checks; fatigue life assessment for
single side welded tubular joints of fixed platforms is
numerically assessed as part of mitigation for platform life

time. The numerical fatigue assessment method is based

on S-N curve approach for API standard utilizing the
Simplified method. The Spectral (stochastic) method has
been performed using SACS software package [15].
Applications have been performed on a four-leg piled
fixed type platforms located in Eastern and Southern
blocks of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. For more accurate
fatigue calculations, the time domain stress history is
calculated for each wave load case with respect to
direction, period and wave height. This assessment is
carried-out to investigate the effect of current, jacket
natural period and jacket stability on the fatigue life-time
of the jacket tubular joints and check the minimum factor
of safety achieved for each joint. The results indicate that,
for fixed offshore structures such as jackets, the change
of dynamic characteristic may result in a significant
change of calculated fatigue life.
Sea Wave Data and Hydrodynamic Forces
Wave Histogram: The records for total 8 wave directions,
at 45 degree intervals for the significant wave height Hs
and responding crossing time period ti with the
associated number of waves occurrence ni in one year
with active control heading are presented in the wave
histogram data, to determine the centre of damage wave.
Selection of Block & C.G. of Blocks: The numerous
numbers of data given in the wave histogram records is
categorized into blocks in-order to develop the scatter
diagram. Wave heights are grouped in the blocks, for
which one stress range is calculated with the minimum of
three blocks per each wave direction.
For each block, one wave with an average mean time
T m and significant wave height Hs is chosen to
present the whole block action to give a spectral peak
period close to the structural fundamental period; usually
the highest wave is considered.
where:
Tm =
Hs =

(ti * ni)/ n
(Hsi* ni)/ n

(1)
(2)

The density of each block, expresses a percentage of

the total number of waves given as the block % of
occurrence.
Scatter Diagram: The scatter diagram (Table 1) presents
no more individual waves as the wave histogram presents,
but individual sea-states with the given statistical periods.

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Table 1: Scatter Diagram Block Selection

The advantage in this case is to consider the individual periods of each of these sea-states, where waves with same
height also have a range of different periods that allows constructing long term distribution fatigue. The wave data
are provided on a statistical basis where a cell of the diagram represents a particular combination of the relation between
the zero crossing time period Tz of each block, (which is based on the type of the wave energy spectrum), the
significant wave height Hs and its probability of occurrence.
Energy Wave Spectrum: There are basically three wave spectra commonly used [15, 1516], the Pierson Maskovitz
(ISSC), JONSWAP and Ochi-Hubble Double Peak. The P-M spectrum is valid for the entire world while the
JONSWAP is valid for the North Sea. The OHDP spectrum is very limited use, where the P-M and JONSWAP
are frequently applied in offshore engineering.
The following equation presents the P-M and JONSWAP spectra:

=
S ( )

*g *

5
* exp *
4

where:
= Angular wave frequency =

2*
Tw

Angular spectral peak frequency =

parameter 0.07 if

<

or 0.09 if

exp 0.5*
*

p
p

(3)

; Tw = Wave period; Tp= Peak period or significant wave height period Tz;;

2*
Tp

>

; g= Gravity acceleration;
p

and

= Generalized Philips constant;

= Spectral width

= Peak parameter; equals to 1.0 for P-M spectrum.

Wave Heights: The wave height corresponding to each wave frequency will be based on a constant wave steepness
of

Hw = Hw
L
2
w g * Tw
2

, 1:18 or 1:20, based on the average steepness from the wave scatter diagrams. The influence of wave

steepness is minor in case of smaller fatigue waves are inertia dominated and hence, linearized forces are insensitive to
wave steepness. The applied wave theory should be appropriate for the fatigue analysis based on the maximum wave
height and water depth.
Linearized Wave Theory: Linearized (Airy) wave theory [15] is adopted to model the wave elevation, water particle
velocity and acceleration. The water surface elevation of an irregular wave can then be calculated by the linear
superposition of the wave components. According to the linear random wave theory, the water surface
elevations and particle kinematics (the velocity and acceleration) are all Gaussian distributed and are therefore fully
defined by the variances of their associated probability distributions, which are equal to the area under their frequency
spectra.
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Hydrodynamic Forces: The hydrodynamic forces on a

tubular component per unit length are calculated by
Morison's equation. This equation is only applicable
when the diameter of the structural member d is less than
1/5 of the wave length [17, 18], which is fulfilled by jacket
structures:
F=

A a + 0.5

Cd vr2 D +

Cm Ar ar

(4)

where: is the density of sea water, A is the cross section

area of the body, a is the component of the water particle
acceleration normal to the member axis, Cm is the added
mass coefficient, Ar is the reference area normal to the
structural member axis, ar is the relative acceleration
between water particle and member normal to member axis,
Cd is the drag coefficient, vr is the water particle velocity
relative to the member normal to the member axis and D is
diameter of the member exposed to the sea.

SCF = SCFg * SCFw * SCFte * SCFta * SCFn

(6)

where:
SCFg = Stress concentration factor due to the gross
geometry of the detail considered
SCFw = Stress concentration factor due to the weld
geometry
SCFte = Additional stress concentration factor due to
eccentricity tolerance (nominally used for plate
connections only)
SCFta = Additional stress concentration factor due to
angular mismatch (normally used for plate
connection only)
SCFn = Additional stress concentration factor for
un-symmetrical stiffeners on laterally loaded
panels, applicable when the nominal stress is
derived from simple beam analysis

Marine Growth: Marine growth is a common designation

for a surface coat on marine structures caused by plants,
animals and bacteria. It may cause increased
hydrodynamic action, increased weight and added mass,
which may influence hydrodynamic instability as a
result of vortex shedding and possible corrosion effects.
The modeling of marine growth at different elevations on
the jacket structure is according to API [19].

The parametric equation [21, 23, 24] gives the most

convenient way of estimating the hot-spot stress in
simple tubular joints. Fig. 2 shows the geometric stress
zone in tubular joints, where the hotspot stress is
calculated by a linear extrapolation of the stress in the
geometric stress zone to the weld toe:

Fatigue Parameters
Stress Concentration Factor (SCF) for Simple Tubular
Joints: Hot-spot stress ranges at each point will be
calculated [19, 19] using multiplying the stress range with
the appropriate stress concentration factors (SCFs) for
axial, in-plane bending (IPB) and out-of-plane bending
(OPB). The aim of the stress analysis [2120] is to calculate
the stress at the weld toe (hot spot), hot spot. The
stress concentration factor due to the geometry effect is
defined as:

There are various parametric equations [25, 26] in the

literature for the determination of SCFs, for instance:

SCF = hotspot
normail

where is ref no [24].

where is ref no [26].

SCF equations for tubular connections: API RP2AWSD [19], NORSOK N-004 [27], Kuang equations in
1975 and 1977 [28, 29], Efthymiou/Durkin equations
in1985 and 1989 [30, 31], Hellier / Connolly / Dover
equations in 1990 [32] and the parametric formula is
Lloyds Register equations in1991 [25].
The best known SCF formulas for the fatigue
assessment of offshore structures are those of
Efthymiou [31] and Lloyds Register equations [25].
In addition, Smedley and Fisher [32, 33, 34] gave
SCFs for ring stiffened tubular joints under axial
loads, in-plane and out-of-plane bending.

(5)

There are three approaches [22] to determine the SCF:

Experimental Data, Finite Element Analysis and Parametric
equations based on experimental data or finite element
analysis. Given that a variety of SCF need to be estimated
on any given tubular joint, SCF determinations have to
rely more on sets of parametric equations, which account
for the joint geometry configurations and applied loading.
All stress risers have to be considered when evaluating
the stress concentration factors SCF. The resulting SCF
[20, 22] is derived as:

The SCF equations from the references mentioned

above have been summarized in DNV (2005) [19, 20]. It
should be indicated that the parametric equations are
valid [17, 25] only for the applicability range defined in
terms of geometry and loads.

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Fig. 1: Wave forces upon a jacket member

Fig. 2: Hotspot Stress Zone in Tubular Joints

Despite considerable differences that exist between
parametric SCF formulae, the current offshore installations
guidance document [35], accepts the use of parametric
equations to determine hot-spot stresses in tubular joints.
S-N Curve for Joints: The S-N curve presents the
bi-linear relationship [21] between the stress range and
the number of cycles to failure as a function of the type of
joint, the environment and the plate thickness. For fatigue
analysis based on the nominal stress approach, welded
joints are divided into several classes. Each class has a
designated S-N curve. The classification of S-N curves
depends on: the geometry of the detail, the direction of
the fluctuating stress relative to the connection detail and
the method of fabrication and inspection of the detail [20].
The types of joints, including plate-to-plate, tube-toplate and tube-to-tube connections have alphabetical

classification types, where each type relates to a

particular
S-N
relationship, as determined by
experimental fatigue tests. The design S-N curves are
based on the mean-minus-two-standard-deviation curves
for relevant experimental data. The S-N curves are thus
associated with a 97.6% probability of survival.
Typical examples of S-N curves in-air are given in Fig. 3.
The bi-linear relationship between log(S) and log (N)
and the change in slope from a gradient (of 1/3) to a
gradient (of 1/5) occurs at 107 or 108 cycles. The
relationship between the stress range and the number
of cycles to failure indicates that a relatively small
change in the estimated stress
range has a
significant effect on the fatigue life. Fig. 3 illustrates
trend for different S-N curves with respect to API
[19], EC3 [36], AWS [37] and UK-DEN [38] codes of
practice:
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Fig. 3: S-N Curves API, AWS, Den, EC3 Trend

Simplified Fatigue Analysis: This section describes the
simplified fatigue assessment procedure stated in the API
[19] code of practice, based on a two parameter Weibull
distribution scale and shape [20]. The Weibull shape
parameter depends on the wave climate and the character
of the structural response, especially the possible
influence of structural dynamics. The fatigue evaluation
result is very sensitive to the Weibull shape parameter.
The advantage of the simplified fatigue assessment [20]
is that closed form expression for fatigue damage may be
derived and that the Weibull shape parameter may be
calibrated based on historical data of fatigue cracks.
The maximum absolute combined beam stresses including
summation of the axial, in-plane bending and out of plane
bending stresses at the joints under study is monitored
resulting from maximum damage wave static analysis.
combined =
axial * SCFaxial +

applied

= SCF *

computed

allowable

(9)

The simplified fatigue assessment is according to the

method described in API-2A [19], which is based on the
assumption that the long term distribution of stress
can be fitted to a Weibull shape parameter " 0"
ranges
of normal distribution of value equals to one.

2
2
IPB * ( SCFIPB ) ) + ( OPB * ( SCFOPB ) )

(8)
In lieu of detailed fatigue analysis, simplified fatigue
analyses, which have been calibrated for the design wave
climate, may be applied to tubular joints in template type
platforms that [19]: Less than 400 feet (122 m) of water,
Constructed of ductile steels, Have redundant structural
framing, Have natural periods less than 3 seconds.
A schematic diagram of the Simplified procedure
based on the API- 2A [19] is shown in Fig. 4. The
simplified fatigue analysis involves designing all tubular
joints in the structure such that the peak hot spot stresses
for the fatigue design wave do not exceed the allowable
peak hot spot stresses:

Spectral Fatigue Analysis: In the simplified fatigue

assessment, the fatigue damage is estimated assuming
that the stress follows a Weibull distribution for long-term
response. The simplified fatigue assessment has been
successfully applied to ship fatigue design [19, 39] in
which allowable stresses are pre-calculated for different
locations in a ship. Due to the excessive sensitivity of the
estimated fatigue damage to the Weibull parameters, a
spectral fatigue assessment becomes more popular for
offshore structural analysis. The spectral approach is to
characterize random sea-states statistically. The dynamic
spectral fatigue is this type of analysis that accounts for
the dynamic response of the structure (T n 3.0 sec) [19]
to a comprehensive range of representative sea-states.
Dynamic response can be important because the natural
period of the fatigue waves can be similar to the natural
period of the structure or the local members supporting
appurtenances.
The approach utilizes wave spectra (a statistical
representation of random sea-states) and transfer
functions (the relationship between stress response and
wave height) to develop stress response spectra (the
relationship between stress response to the sea-state)
across the wave frequency range. This approach employs

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Fig. 4: Simplified Fatigue Scheme Based on the API Methodolody

Fig. 5: Spectral Dynamic Fatigue Analysis Scheme

a hybrid technique, partially in the time domain and
partially in the frequency domain. The structure is
subjected to a series of regular waves of different
frequencies wave spectrum. A static plus inertial
dynamic analysis procedure will be used to compute
member end forces. This procedure accounts for the
overall dynamic effects and the local wave loading on
individual members. In this approach the inertial dynamic

effects alone are first computed. The next stage is to

compute the static responses for the same time steps at
which the dynamic effects are computed. The total
response is obtained as the sum of the two responses.
The static response computation accurately accounts for
the effects of local wave forces. The computed nominal
brace stresses based on the total response is factored by
the appropriate stress concentration factors SCF to
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obtain hot spot stresses. From the steady state hot-spot

time history, the stress range is obtained, which is then
divided by the wave height to determine the value of
the stress transfer function at that particular frequency.
A schematic diagram of the Spectral (stochastic)
procedure is shown in Fig. 5. By repeating the procedure
for a range of frequencies of interest, the complete stress
transfer functions are generated. These, in combination
with sea-state spectra describing the site environmental
conditions for a one year interval, enable the stress
spectrum at each hot-spot stress location to be obtained.
Applications for Fatigue Assessment of an Existing
Offshore Jackets
General: The fatigue assessments using Simplified and
Spectral (stochastic) methods have been applied to four
legged piled fixed platform located in Eastern block of the
Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The platform is installed in 33.5 meter
water depth. The following figure shows the GoS water
depth contours:
Jacket Fatigue Computation Assumptions: The fatigue
computations for the two jackets either simplified or
spectral approaches are based on the following
assumptions:
Jacket joints life time of 20 years,
Jacket Legs and Joint Cans are manufactured of high
tensile steel ASTM-572 Gr. 50 of minimum yield
strength 345 MPa [40].
Current is associated with the wave, acting in the
same direction.
Applied wave theory is Stocks fifth order.
All joints under study are classified as inspectable
with no critical failures.
Drag (Cd = 0.50 for smooth members and 0.80 for
rough members), mass (Cm = 2.00) coefficients and
marine growth thickness are calculated as per API
PR-2A-WSD [19].
SCF for tubular joints is calculated based on
Efthymiou parametric equations [19].
Weibull parameter for simplified fatigue = 1.0.
Wave steepness [ 41] = 1/20.
Wave spectrum is Pierson-Moskowitz (P-M) utilizing
Bretschneiders Form.
Platform Configuration: The platform is four legged piled
fixed type. The spacing in East direction between Row-A

to Row-B is 7.62 m and in the North direction between

Row-1 to Row-2 is 7.62 m; at the working point elevation
of (+) 5.182 m.
The topside consists of a main production
deck located at elevation (+) 16.00 m, with dimensions
(18.0 m x 22.0 m). A cellar deck located at elevation
(+) 11.50 m, with dimensions (18.0 m x 22.0 m).
The mezzanine deck is elevated at (+) 11.63 m, with
dimensions (10.30 m x 22.0 m). The helideck is
installed at elevation (+) 24.50 m, with dimensions
(17.50 m x 18.00 m).
The fixed piled jacket consists of three horizontal
bracing diaphragms at elevations (+) 3.048 m, (-) 13.176 m
and (-) 33.00 m, respectively. The bottom bracing level is
at elevation (-) 33.00 m, where the piles are fixed at the
mud-line. The working point where the jacket is fixed to
the piles is at elevation (+) 4.115 m.
The jacket batter is 1:12 (horizontal: vertical) for
all the faces. The legs are built-up of tubular sections of
40 inch diameter, supported on the piles of tubular
sections 36 inch diameter. The joint cans are tubular
sections of 42 inch diameter. The bracing system is
K-type with different tubular sizing varying from 18 to 22
inches diameter.
The jacket spider deck (walkway) is located at
elevation (+) 3.048 m, with dimensions (7.976 m x.976 m).
The deck framing members are built-up with tubular
sections of pipe 14 inch diameter. Boat landing is installed
at the platform East side at Row-2. Five risers are located
at the platform North side at Row-1. The jacket is
accommodating twelve internal conductors. Fig. 7 shows
3-D view for the platform.
Description of Sea Wave Data: The water depth is 33.50
meter [41] for MSL condition. The fatigue studies are
based on the MSL ignoring the tide and surge effects of
the water depth i.e. the LAT and HAT water depths
conditions.
Wave Histogram (Damage Wave): The wave histogram
(significant wave height Hs and number of waves n) for
one year return period for the eight directions in the
Eastern block of the Suez Gulf is given in Table 2. The
total number of waves with respect to associated Tmax
for all directions is given in Table 3.
Critical Damage Wave (Hmax & Tmax): The critical
maximum wave Hmax and associated Tmax is calculated.

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Fig. 6: Water Depth Contours (Suez Gulf)

H max =

(10)

Di * Ti
Di

(11)

Pi * H i(b*m )
Ti

(12)

Tmax =

Di =

Di * H i
Di

where, Di = Damage estimation; H i= Maximum wave

height; b= Darg/Interia domination structure constant
(1.5); m= Inverse slope of S-N curve, equals to 3.74; Pi=
Probability of wave occurrence (Number of waves); Ti=
Time associated with Hi :
Di * H i
Hence,
H max =
2.15 m
=
Di
Di * Ti
Fig. 7: 3-D View (33.5 Water Depth Platfrom Located in =
Tmax =
5.08 sec
Di
Suez Gulf)

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Table 2: One Yr. Wave Histogram for 33.50 W.D
Hs [m]

NE

SE

SW

NW

No. of wave occurrence (n)

0.0 - 0.5
0.5 - 1.0
1.0 - 1.5
1.5 - 2.0
2.0 - 2.5
2.5 - 3.0
3.0 - 3.5
3.5 - 4.0
4.0 - 4.5
4.5 - 5.0

8,614,406
223,184
5,782
150
4
0
0
0
0
0

785,255
837
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

130,872
143
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

224,274
32,316
4,657
671
97
14
2
0
0
0

121,331
19,183
3,033
480
76
12
2
0
0
0

168,191
2,102
27
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1,668,273
34,209
701
15
0
0
0
0
0
0

1,006,408
40,053
1,594
63
3
0
0
0
0
0

12,719,010
352,027
15,794
1,379
180
26
4
0
0
0

Total

8,843,526

786,092

131,015

262,031

144,117

170,320

1,703,198

1,048,121

13,088,420

Table 3: Number of Waves Associated with Tmax for 33.50 W.D

Hs [m]

Hmax avg. [m]

Number of waves all direction for Tmax [sec]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.441
4.228
5.458
6.458
7.323 8.096
8.801 9.454
10.065
10.640

0.0 - 0.5
0.5 - 1.0
1.0 - 1.5
1.5 - 2.0
2.0 - 2.5
2.5 - 3.0
3.0 - 3.5
3.5 - 4.0
4.0 - 4.5
4.5 - 5.0

0.465
1.395
2.325
3.255
4.185
5.115
6.045
6.975
7.905
8.835

12,719,010
-

352,027
-

15,794
-

1,379
-

Total

12,719,010

352,027

15,794

1,379

180

180
-

26
-

4
-

0
-

0
-

26

13,088,420

Total
12,719,010
352,027
15,794
1,379
180
26
4
0
0
0

Table 4: One Year Wave 8 directions (Eastern GoS)

Wave height (m)
0.25
0.75
1.25
1.75
2.25

Wave period (sec)

2.441
4.228
5.458
6.458
7.323

Table 5: One Yr. Current Velocity for 33.50 W.D.

% Elevation from Mud-line (m)

Wave height (m)

Wave period (sec)

2.75
3.25
3.75
4.25
4.75

8.096
8.801
9.454
10.065
10.640

Table 6: Scatter Diagram Block Percentage & number of waves

Current Profile (m/sec)

0.00

0.00

50.0

0.30

100.0

0.60

The wave of significant height (1.16 meters) that is

equivalent to the given Hmax is classified as the critical
damage wave because the damage probability percentage
equals 6.1*1010 as shown in Fig. 8:
Wave Parameters: The wave parameters (significant
wave height Hs and wave period TZ) for one year return
period for 8 directions in the Suez Gulf Eastern block is
given in the Table 4. The wave parameters utilized in
fatigue assessment are based on the critical damage wave
calculated from the directional wave histogram.

Block ID

No. of waves

% of block

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

8,843,526
786,092
131,015
262,031
144,117
170,320
1,703,198
1,048,121

67.57
6.01
1.00
2.00
1.10
1.30
13.01
8.01

Total

13,088,420

Current: The approximated current profile for 1 year [41]

is given in Table 5.
Wave Scatter Diagram: The scatter diagram is extracted
form wave histogram. The scatter is built from the wave
block data selection as shown in Table 1. Each block ID is
1009

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Table 7: API Simplified Fatigue UC Results Case of Study 1
Attack Angle (Degree) / UC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jkt. Row

Joint ID

47

92

137

182

R/A

0037

0.113

0.149

0.172

0.171

0.147

0.112

0.082

0.087

0041

0.155

0.189

0.194

0.166

0.120

0.098

0.081

0.111

0129

0.154

0.203

0.229

0.215

0.166

0.115

0.090

0.106

0132

0.114

0.131

0.145

0.135

0.100

0.068

0.067

0.101

0223

0.417

0.416

0.421

0.442

0.457

0.451

0.424

0.410

0227

0.370

0.346

0.354

0.385

0.426

0.448

0.430

0.402

0073

0.114

0.151

0.170

0.160

0.124

0.086

0.068

0.079

0077

0.097

0.148

0.167

0.145

0.094

0.046

0.031

0.072

0141

0.121

0.160

0.183

0.174

0.144

0.102

0.084

0.095

0144

0.178

0.224

0.223

0.200

0.143

0.098

0.090

0.123

0269

0.246

0.288

0.323

0.323

0.288

0.241

0.234

0.230

0273

0.222

0.182

0.111

0.095

0.104

0.107

0.153

0.203

R/B

227

272

317

Fig. 8: Critical Damage for 1 Yr. Wave 8 directions (Eastern Suez Gulf)
presenting one direction form the total 8 directions with
illuminating the zero values form the computation.
The co-relation between the Hs & Tz is constant for
all blocks presenting a particular percentage of
occurrences for each direction independently as shown in
Table 6.
Wave Spectrum: The fatigue assessments scatter
diagrams are based on Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum [16].
The wave spectrum is calculated in SACS through the
Fatigue Module for the fatigue life predictions. Table 7
shows the percentage of the eight blocks to present the
ratio to the total number of waves extracted from the PM
spectrum values for Tz (note: the Hs & Tz all constant
for all block spectra).

Fatigue Cases of Study: The fatigue cases of study

(Simplified & Spectral) for the 33.5 metre water depth
platform are based on the three following functions:
Natural period of jacket Tn < 3.0 seconds,
Natural period of jacket Tn > 3.0 seconds, resulting
from additional masses, with no vertical loads applied
to the basic model with natural period equals to 2.5
seconds.
Current (Cs) acting with wave to evaluate the effect of
combined action of wave and current.
The fatigue assessment to study the three above
functions is carried-out by SACS analysis based on the
6 different simulated jacket natural periods (2.5, 2.7, 2.9,
1010

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

(no current is applied) based on the basic model with

natural period Tn = 2.5 seconds.
Current Effect UC Results and Trend: Table 10
presents the simplified fatigue results based on the API
[19] utilizations (unity checks) for the case of study
number 1 (current is applied) and case of study number
2 (no current is applied) based on the basic model with
natural period Tn = 2.5 seconds.
Comment on (33.5 m) Jacket Simplified Fatigue Results:
Referring to the 33.5 m jacket simplified fatigue results the
following is recorded:
The unity check UC for the facing joints in the
same horizontal elevation changes with about 20%,
the reason is that, each horizontal elevation is
exposed to the same amount of lateral loads but with
a different exposure attack angle.
The maximum unity checks UCs are found at upper
elevation joints (0223, 0227, 0269 & 0273). The reason
is that the joints at the jacket to pile fixation are
manufactured with full penetration welding (full fixed
6 DoF joints) acting as fixed boundary condition,
while the whole jacket is suspended acting as a
cantilever with fixation at these joints and free at the
sea-bed.
Applying the current increases the joints unity check
UC by 6%, where the jacket upper fixation joints
are the majors in this increase.

Fig. 9: SACS 33.50 m Jacket Simulation 3-D View

3.1, 3.3, 3.5 sec.) and environmental loading models.
Two cases were considered: case 1 with current and case
2 without current.
Jacket Geometric Simulation: A 3-D model for the
platform including the jacket, sub-structures and the
topside is carried-out by the Precede Module in the SACS
soft-ware. This model is used for the static and dynamic
analyses for the joint fatigue life time calculations. The
total applied loads on the topside in addition to the jacket
self-weight determine the natural period of the jacket (Tn).
Since, stiffness from jacket geometry, member sizing and
the boundary conditions are fixed parameters, the only
covering factor affecting the natural period of the
jacket is the applied masses. The fatigue study is applied
on 12 jacket joints of Row-A & Row-B. Fig. 9 shows the
3-D view for the jacket SACS simulation:
Simplified Fatigue (33.5 m Water Depth) Computation
and Results:
Jacket Joints Unity Checks Results for Case of Study
1: Table 8 and Figs 10, 11 and 12 present the simplified
fatigue results based on the API [19] utilizations
(unity checks) for the case of study number 1
(current is applied) based on the basic model with natural
period Tn = 2.5 seconds.
Jacket Joints Unity Checks Results for Case of Study
2: Table 9 and Figs. 13, 14 and 15 present the
simplified fatigue results based on the API [19] utilizations
(unity checks) for the case of study number 2

Spectral Fatigue (33.5 m Water Depth) Computation and

Results:
Dynamic Model Results (Mode Shapes): The dynamic
behaviour of the jacket is determined by the SACS
Dynpac Module in addition to the Postvue Module where
the number of mode shapes is given with 15 modes to
present more than 90% of the total lumped mass (loads).
The first mode shape is used to evaluate the natural
period of the jacket (Tn).
The cases of study for the natural period are as
follows:
Tn = 2.5, 2.7 & 2.9 sec. < 3.0 sec.
Tn = 3.1, 3.3 & 3.5 sec. > 3.0 sec.
Table 10 illustrates the first 15 mode shape values for
the basic model of natural period of 2.50 seconds:

1011

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Table 8: API Simplified Fatigue UC Results Case of Study 2
Attack Angle (Degree) / UC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jkt. Row

Joint ID

47

92

137

182

R/A

0037

0.114

0.142

0.161

0.160

0.143

0.117

0.091

0.093

0041

0.150

0.178

0.183

0.160

0.123

0.097

0.091

0.117

0129

0.155

0.193

0.215

0.203

0.165

0.124

0.104

0.118

0132

0.100

0.124

0.135

0.124

0.098

0.069

0.066

0.091

0223

0.416

0.415

0.420

0.437

0.450

0.446

0.424

0.409

0227

0.375

0.355

0.362

0.387

0.420

0.437

0.424

0.400

0073

0.115

0.143

0.159

0.151

0.123

0.093

0.078

0.088

0077

0.097

0.138

0.153

0.134

0.095

0.057

0.044

0.061

0141

0.123

0.156

0.173

0.164

0.138

0.104

0.094

0.103

0144

0.173

0.211

0.219

0.191

0.146

0.108

0.103

0.131

0269

0.248

0.284

0.315

0.316

0.284

0.245

0.234

0.230

0273

0.204

0.175

0.115

0.096

0.103

0.105

0.150

0.190

R/B

Fig. 10: Simplified Fatigue Row-A UC Results Case of Study 1.

Fig. 11: Simplified Fatigue Row-B UC Results Case of Study 1

1012

227

272

317

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Fig. 12: Simplified Fatigue Max. UC Results Case of Study 1

Fig. 13: Simplified Fatigue Row-A UC Results Case of Study 2

Fig. 14: Simplified Fatigue Row-B UC Results Case of Study 2

1013

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Fig. 15: Simplified Fatigue Max. UC Results Case of Study2.

Table 9: API Simplified Fatigue Results Max. UC for Current Trend.
API Code of Practice UC

Case of Study
-----------------------------------------------Jkt. Row
Joint ID
Row-A

0037
0041
0129
0132
0223
0227
0073
0077
0141
0144
0269
0273

Row-B

Current
No Current
-------------------------------------------------------------------SACS Model
--------------------------------------------------------------------1
2

% Change

0.149
0.189
0.215
0.135
0.457
0.430
0.160
0.148
0.174
0.224
0.323
0.222

4.03%
5.82%
5.58%
8.15%
1.53%
1.40%
5.63%
6.76%
5.75%
5.80%
2.17%
8.11%

0.143
0.178
0.203
0.124
0.450
0.424
0.151
0.138
0.164
0.211
0.316
0.204

Average Current Effect

5.06%

Table 10: Dynamic Modes Results Basic Model (Tn = 2.5 sec)

Mode No.

Period (sec)

Frequency (Hz)

(%) Mass Participation Factor

------------------------------------------------X dir.
Y-Dir.
Z-dir.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

2.494
2.283
1.636
1.031
0.853
0.527
0.436
0.422
0.407
0.323
0.307
0.274
0.269
0.253

0.401
0.438
0.611
0.97
1.173
1.898
2.294
2.372
2.455
2.92
3.255
3.651
3.718
3.953

56.09
72.37
82.02
82.08
97.49
97.49
97.49
97.50
97.81
97.82
97.84
97.84
97.85
98.85

17.24
81.05
81.40
93.87
93.88
97.81
97.81
97.81
97.84
98.27
98.33
98.33
98.34
98.38

1014

0.01
0.17
0.17
0.35
0.36
2.74
2.75
4.07
4.18
15.87
86.16
86.16
92.89
92.92

Mode Shape
Cantilever (+) X dirc
Cantilever (-) Y dirc
Twist
Intermediate Bracing level Cantilever
Bottom Bracing level Cantilever
Intermediate Bracing level Cantilever
Twist
Twist
Drift
Compaction
Bottom Bracing Level Deflection
Twist
Bottom Bracing Level Deflection
Bottom Bracing Level Drift

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Fig. 16: Jacket Row-A Joint ID 0037 Life Time Trends

Fig. 17 Jacket Row-A Joint ID 0041 Life Time Trends

Fig. 18: Jacket Row-A Joint ID 0129 Life Time Trends

1015

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Fig. 19: Jacket Row-A Joint ID 0132 Life Time Trends

Fig. 20: Jacket Row-A Joint ID 0223 Life Time Trends

Fig. 21: Jacket Row-A Joint ID 0227 Life Time Trends

1016

World Appl. Sci. J., 30 (8): 1000-1019, 2014

Joint Life-Time Trend: Figs 16 to 21 present the spectral

fatigue results based on the API S-N Curve X` category
[19]. The results show the effect of the associated current
and the dynamic response from additional masses on the
fatigue life of the jacket leg joints.
Comments on (33.5 m) Jacket Spectral Fatigue Results
Referring to the 33.5 m jacket spectral fatigue results, the
following is recorded:
For Tn < 3.0 seconds, the change in the life-time of
the joints is not significant and presents an average
of 15%, with respect to increasing the natural
period from 2.5 to 2.9 seconds, resulting from
additional masses, by a constant increment of 0.2
seconds, as a result of not being dynamically
sensitive.
For Tn > 3.0 seconds, the reduction in the life-time of
the joints is significant and presents an average of
50% with respect to increasing the natural period
from 3.1 to 3.5 seconds, resulting from additional
masses, by a constant increment of 0.2 seconds, as a
result of being dynamically sensitive.
The minimum life-time is found at upper elevation
joints (0223, 0227, 0269 & 0273). The reason is that
the joints are not only exposed to environmental
loading but, they are also the jacket to pile fixations
joints with full penetration welding (full fixed 6 DoF
joints) acting as fixed boundary condition; while the
whole jacket is suspended acting as a cantilever with
fixation at these joints and free at sea-bed.
Applying the current effect, the joints life-time has an
average of 5.5% but never exceeds the 10% where the
jacket upper fixation joints are the majors in this
increase.
The inverse life-time linear curve slope for spectral
methodology is similar to UC life-time linear curve
extracted from simplified calculations for API code of
practice.
CONCLUSIONS
In this paper; the fatigue life assessment for single
side welded tubular joints of an existing fixed platform is
numerically assessed as part of mitigation for platform life
time. The platform is four-leg piled fixed type located in
Eastern and Southern blocks of the Suez Gulf, Egypt. The
platform is installed in 33.5 water depth. The numerical
fatigue assessment method is based on S-N curve

approach for API standard utilizing the Simplified and the

Spectral (stochastic) methods. This assessment is carriedout to investigate the effect of current, jacket natural
period and jacket stability on the fatigue life-time of the
jacket tubular joints and check the minimum factor of
safety achieved for each joint.
The following conclusions are extracted for the
existing jacket studied in this paper:
Simplified fatigue methodology does not count for
natural period of the jacket and this may affect the
fatigue analysis of some platform jackets depending
on their dynamic characteristics.
As was expected, the splash zone joints are highly
affected with waves therefore; these joints are
sensitive to the fatigue damage.
The effect of the current is minor, about 10%, on the
joint fatigue life-time and can be ignored. The effect
of the current is not significant or reflecting actual
influence for the joints near sea bed rather than joints
near sea surface. Because, the current velocity is
indirectly proportional with water depth. As common
practice experience, the wave current is usually not
included in the fatigue assessments.
The dynamic characteristics of the platform
(mode shapes) highly affect the stress distributions
on the joints and consequently the fatigue life-time in
spite of the same amount of lateral forces applied.
The change of dynamic characteristics may
result in a significant change of the calculated fatigue
life i. e. in case of the studied platform jacket in this
paper.
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1019