Defect Assessment of Tubular T-Joints Using the R6 Failure Analysis Diagram

Abstract

The present work centers on studying the application of the R6-type failure assessment diagram to the nodal joints of offshore platforms. The work concentrates on finite element models of tubular shells and T-joints with a part-through crack subjected to tension and out-of-plane bending loading of the brace. The overall conclusion is that the R6 procedure provided a satisfactory assessment procedure provided that, for tubular joints considered, the measure of fracture was expressed on the ordinate in terms of Gmid/Jmax and an appropriate definition of global collapse was used to normalize the applied load.