Structural System Reliability Framework For Fixed Offshore Platforms

The main objective of this project is to develop a generic framework which will set the basis for achieving more consistent system reliability assessments. The main steps involved in a system reliability assessment, together with the key technical and philosophical issues, will be identified and examined. Their interrelations and relative significance will be assessed in order to link them together in a rational process that will provide the basis for consistent reliability assessments. The key underlying question throughout this project is what changes/improvements can be made to reliability assessments in order to move towards more consistent reliability. The perceived benefits to the customer of this project include: providing basis for future working practice/guidance as move towards more consistent reliability, with improved preparation, improved consistency in results; along with allowing the framework to be used as application, management, quality assurance and educational/training tools. The first report, " A review of system reliability considerations for offshore structural assessments " , presents the findings of a review study which aimed to identify and assess the state of the art in the area of offshore structural system reliability, as well as generic aspects of structural reliability. The overall emphasis in this review study was to identify the sensitivities and difficulties associated with reliability analysis that prevents consistent reliability predictions from being obtained. The second report " Development of a structural system reliability framework for offshore platforms " presents the framework for structural system reliability assessments of offshore platforms. The background to the need for the framework is briefly discussed, along with the main issues arising from the review study. A number of different formats are used for the presentation of the framework. Phase 2: Offshore study This third report, " A parametric and sensitivity offshore study ". Based on the findings of the review study and experience gained from the framework development phase, a number of sensitivity studies were identified. These included: yield strength and foundation capacity parametric studies, foundation capacity assessment sensitivity studies, and comparison studies of the main methods of reliability analysis used in the offshore industry. The fourth report, " Presentation of a structural system reliability framework for fixed offshore platforms " is an executive summary report. This summarises the key findings from Phases 1 and 2, and presents the revised framework in context in sufficient detail to enable the reader to apply the flowcharts and tables presented therein. This report …