Ultimate Strength and Post-Ultimate Strength Behavior of Damaged Tubular Members in Offshore Structures

Abstract

An idealized structural unit model is constructed to represent the pre and post-ultimate strength behavior of a damaged tubular member with various boundary conditions subjected to various end loads. Local denting and overall permanent lateral deflection are considered as a damage. The calculated results using this model are compared with a large number of previous and new experimental results. A parametric study regarding the influence of damages on the ultimate strength of tubular members is also performed.