Ice-Induced Fatigue Analysis by Spectral Approach for Offshore Jacket Platforms with Ice-Breaking Cones

The spectral methods and ice-induced fatigue analysis are discussed based on Miner＇s linear cumulative fatigue hypothesis and S-N curve data. According to the long-term data of full-scale tests on the platforms in the Bohai Sea, the ice force spectrum of conical structures and the fatigue environmental model are established. Moreover, the finite element model of JZ20-2MSW platform, an example of ice-induced fatigue analysis, is built with ANSYS software. The mode analysis and dynamic analysis in frequency domain under all kinds of ice fatigue work conditions are carded on, and the fatigue life of the structure is estimated in detail. The methods in this paper can be helpful in ice-induced fatigue analysis of ice-resistant platforms.

Fatigue Analysis of the Taut-Wire Mooring System Applied for Deep Waters

Precisely predicting the fatigue life of taut-wire mooring systems has become an interesting and important problem for scientists and engineers since there are still difficulties in the inspection and maintenance of mooring lines in a rough sea environment especially in deep waters. In this paper, a comprehensive fatigue analysis is performed for a polyester taut-wire mooring system of an FPSO based on the time domain dynamic theory, rainflow cycle counting method and linear damage accumulation rule of Palmgren-Miner. Three influential factors in the fatigue analysis including the pre-tension, dynamic stiffness and T-N curve are investigated in detail. Two polyester T-N curves, one is from the DNV- 0S-E301 and the other is from the API-RP-2SM, are adopted in the calculation. The fatigue analysis of the mooting system after one-line failure is also carried out. The calculation results indicate that the fatigue life is significantly affected by the T-N curve. The fatigue life decreases with increasing pre-tension, and is largely reduced if taking into account the dynamic stiffness caused by cyclic loading. The analysis also proves that one-line failure has remarkable effects on the fatigue lives of other mooting lines. The present parametric and comparative study is believed to be meaningful to further understanding of the taut-wire mooting system for deepwater applications.

Fatigue Characteristic Analysis of Deepwater Steel Catenary Risers at the Touchdown Point

This paper presents fatigue characteristic analysis of a deepwater steel catenary riser （SCR） under ambient excitations. The SCR involves complex nonlinear dynamic behaviors, especially at the touchdown point （TDP） where the riser first touches the seafloor. Owing to the significant interaction with soil, the touchdown zone is difficnlt to be modeled. Based on Lumped-Mass method and P-y curve, nonlinear springs are used to simulate the SCR-seabed coupled interaction. In case studies, an SCR＇s dynamic features have been obtained by transient analysis and the structure fatigue assessment has been carried out by S-N approach. The comparative analysis shows that the TDP is the key location where soil-riser interaction rises steeply and minimum fatigue life occurs. Parameters such as ocean environment loads, vessel motions, riser material and geometric parameters are discussed. The results indicate that the vessel motion is the principal factor for the structure fatigue life distribution.

Enhanced Multi-Layer Fatigue-Analysis Approach for Unbonded Flexible Risers

This paper proposes an enhanced approach for evaluating the fatigue life of each metallic layer of unbonded flexible risers. Owing to the complex structure of unbonded flexible risers and the nonlinearity of the system, particularly in the critical touchdown zone, the traditional method is insufficient for accurately evaluating the fatigue life of these risers. The main challenge lies in the transposition from global to local analyses, which is a key stage for the fatigue analysis of flexible pipes owing to their complex structure. The new enhanced approach derives a multi-layer stress-decomposition method to meet this challenge. In this study, a numerical model validated experimentally is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the stress-decomposition method. And a numerical case is studied to validate the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that the multi-layer stress-decomposition method is accurate, and the fatigue lives of the metallic layers predicted by the enhanced multi-layer analysis approach are rational. The proposed fatigue-analysis approach provides a practical and reasonable method for predicting fatigue life in the design of unbonded flexible risers.

Study on the application of spectral fatigue analysis

Fatigue failure has long been an important issue for ships and offshore structures. Among the numerous methods for predicting fatigue life, the spectral method is accepted as the most reliable. Although the theory behind spectral analysis is straight-forward, the analysis itself is complicated and time-consuming because it is closely related to critical technical details such as the application of fatigue loading (wave pressures and the inertial forces due to cargoes), the extraction of the stress, and the calculation of stress RAO. Here, four key technical details-loading application, displacement boundary condition, the calculation of stress RAO, and the extraction of the fatigue stress-are discussed thoroughly. For each aspect, a resolution is presented based on the finite element pre-and post-processing software MSC/PATRAN or FE solver MSC/NASTRAN. The resolutions are effective and efficient, which can help engineers perform spectral fatigue analysis accurately and faster.

sEMG Feature Analysis on Forearm Muscle Fatigue During Isometric Contractions

In order to detect and assess the muscle fatigue state with the surface electromyography(sEMG) characteristic parameters,this paper carried out a series of isometric contraction experiments to induce the fatigue on the forearm muscles from four subjects,and recorded the sEMG signals of the flexor carpi ulnaris.sEMG's median frequency(MDF) and mean frequency(MF) were extracted by short term Fourier transform(STFT),and the root mean square(RMS) of wavelet coefficients in the frequency band of 5—45 Hz was obtained by continuous wavelet transform(CWT).The results demonstrate that both MDF and MF show downward trends within 1 min; however,RMS shows an upward trend within the same time.The three parameters are closely correlated with absolute values of mean correlation coefficients greater than 0.8.It is suggested that the three parameters above can be used as reliable indicators to evaluate the level of muscle fatigue during isometric contractions.

Near Crack Line Elastic-Plastic Analysis for an Infinite Plate Loaded by a Pair of Point Shear Forces

The near crack line analysis method was used to investigate a crack loaded by a pair of point shear forces in an infinite plate in an elastic-perfectly plastic solid. The analytical solution was obtained, that is the elastic-plastic fields near crack line and law that the length of the plastic zone along the crack line is varied with external loads. The results are sufficiently precise near the crack line and are not confined by small scale yielding conditions.

Analysis and Comparison of Safety and Fatigue Comfort of Postal Bicycles Based on Finite Element Method and sEMG

The safety and the fatigue comfort were compared between a domestic and a Japanese postal bicycle. Firstly, the fatigue comfort of these two kinds of bicycles was evaluated by surface electromyographic signal (sEMG) experiment, in which human lower limb muscle groups were research objects, and the average EMG (AEMG) index and median frequency (MF) were chosen as the evaluation indexes. Secondly, the safety of these two kinds of bicycle frames was analyzed and compared by using the finite element analysis. The results show that the riding fatigue comfort of the Japanese postal bicycle is better, and the Japanese postal bicycle frame is more safe and reasonable although both the postal bicycles meet the requirement for strength. Finally, based on the above analysis, the frame structure and related parameters of the domestic postal bicycle were improved with reference to the Japanese postal bicycle and biomechanics theory.

Thermal-Mechanical Fatigue Behavior and Life Analysis of Cast Ni-base Superalloy K417

In-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) thermal-mechanical fatigue (TMF) behavior of cast Ni-base superalloy K417 was studied. All experiments were carried out under total strain control with temperature cycling between 400-850℃. Both in-phase and out-of-phase TMF specimens exhibited cyclic hardening followed by cyclic softening at the minimum temperature. Besides, they cyclically hardened in the early stage of life followed by cyclic softening at the maximum temperature. OP TMF life was longer than that of IP TMF. Various damage mechanisms operating in different controlled strain ranges and phasing were discussed. A few life prediction methods for isothermal fatigue were used to handle TMF fatigue and their applicability to superalloy K417 was evaluated. The SEM analysis of the fracture surface showed that transgranular fracture was the principal cracking mode for both IP and OP TMF. Oxidation was the main damage mechanism in causing shorter fatigue life for IP TMF compared with OP TMF.

RELIABILITY ANALYSIS FOR AN AERO ENGINE TURBINE DISK UNDER LOW CYCLE FATIGUE CONDITION

Reliability analysis methods based on the linear damage accumulation law (LDAL) and load-life interference model are studied in this paper. According to the equal probability rule, the equivalent loads are derived, and the reliability analysis method based on load-life interference model and recurrence formula is constructed. In conjunction with finite element analysis (FEA) program, the reliability of an aero engine turbine disk under low cycle fatigue (LCF) condition has been analyzed. The results show the turbine disk is safety and the above reliability analysis methods are feasible.

Evaluating ultrasound signals of carbon steel fatigue testing using signal analysis approaches

The application of ultrasound techniques to monitor the condition of structures is becoming more prominent because these techniques can detect the early symptoms of defects such as cracks and other defects.The early detection of defects is of vital importance to avoid major failures with catastrophic consequences.An assessment of an ultrasound technique was used to investigate fatigue damage behaviour.Fatigue tests were performed according to the ASTM E466-96 standard with the attachment of an ultrasound sensor to the test specimen.AISI 1045 carbon steel was used due to its wide application in the automotive industry.A fatigue test was performed under constant loading stress at a sampling frequency of 8 Hz.Two sets of data acquisition systems were used to collect the fatigue strain signals and ultrasound signals.All of the signals were edited and analysed using a signal processing approach.Two methods were used to evaluate the signals,the integrated Kurtosis-based algorithm for z-filter technique(I-kaz) and the short-time Fourier transform(STFT).The fatigue damage behaviour was observed from the initial stage until the last stage of the fatigue test.The results of the I-kaz coefficient and the STFT spectrum were used to explain and describe the behaviour of the fatigue damage.I-kaz coefficients were ranged from 60 to 61 for strain signals and ranged from 5 to 76 for ultrasound signals.I-kaz values tend to be high at failure point due to high amplitude of respective signals.STFT spectrogram displays the colour intensity which represents the damage severity of the strain signals.I-kaz technique is found very useful and capable in assessing both stationary and non-stationary signals while STFT technique is suitable only for non-stationary signals by displaying its spectrogram.

Multi-Scale Analysis of Fretting Fatigue in Heterogeneous Materials Using Computational Homogenization

This paper deals with modeling of the phenomenon of fretting fatigue in heterogeneous materials using the multi-scale computational homogenization technique and finite element analysis(FEA).The heterogeneous material for the specimens consists of a single hole model(25% void/cell,16% void/cell and 10% void/cell)and a four-hole model(25%void/cell).Using a representative volume element(RVE),we try to produce the equivalent homogenized properties and work on a homogeneous specimen for the study of fretting fatigue.Next,the fretting fatigue contact problem is performed for 3 new cases of models that consist of a homogeneous and a heterogeneous part(single hole cell)in the contact area.The aim is to analyze the normal and shear stresses of these models and compare them with the results of the corresponding heterogeneous models based on the Direct Numerical Simulation(DNS)method.Finally,by comparing the computational time and%deviations,we draw conclusions about the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Optimum Autofrettage Pressure of Hydrogen Valve Using Finite Element and Fatigue Analysis

The presented article shows an estimation method of optimum autofrettage pressure taking into consideration subsequent cyclic loading. An autofrettage process is used in pressure vessel applications for strength improvement. The process relies on applying massive pressure that causes internal portions of the part to yield plastically, resulting in internal compressive residual stresses when pressure is released. Later applied working pressure (much lower than autofrettage pressure) creates stress reduced by the residual compressive stress improving the structural performance of the pressure vessels. The optimum autofrettage pressure is a load that maximizes the fatigue life of the structure at the working load. The estimation method of that pressure of a hydrogen valve is the subject of the presented work. Finite element and fatigue analyses were employed to investigate the presented problem. An automated model was developed to analyze the design for various autofrettage pressures. As the results of the procedure, the optimum autofrettage pressure is determined. The research has shown that the developed method can profitably investigate the complex parts giving the autofrettage load that maximizes the fatigue life. The findings suggest that the technique can be applied to a large group of products subjected to the autofrettage process.

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Studies on Elastic-Plastic Fatigue Crack Growth

A elastic-plastic fatigue crack growth(FCG)finite element model was developed for predicting crack growth rate under cyclic load.The propagation criterion for this model was established based on plastically dissipated energy.The crack growth simulation under cyclic computation was implemented through the ABAQUS scripting interface.The predictions of this model are in good agreement with the results of crack propagation experiment of compact tension specimen made of 304 stainless steel.Based on the proposed model,the single peak overload retardation effect of elastic-plastic fatigue crack was analyzed.The results shows that the single peak overload will reduce the accumulation rate of plastic energy dissipation of elements at crack tip plastic zone,so that crack growth will be arrested.The crack growth rate will not recover until the crack tip exceed the affected region.Meanwhile,the crack growth rate is mainly determined by the amplitude rather than the mean load under the condition of small scale yielding.The proposed model would be helpful for predicting the growth rate of mode I elastic-plastic fatigue crack.

An elastic-plastic analysis of short-leg shear wall structures during earthquakes

Short-leg shear wall structures are a new form of building structure that combine the merits of both frame and shear wall structures. Its architectural features, structure bearing and engineering cost are reasonable. To analyze the elastic-plastic response of a short-leg shear wall structure during an earthquake, this study modified the multiple-vertical-rod element model of the shear wall, considered the shear lag effect and proposed a multiple-vertical-rod element coupling beam model with a new local stiffness domain. Based on the principle of minimum potential energy and the variational principle, the stiffness matrixes of a short-leg shear wall and a coupling beam are derived in this study. Furthermore, the bending shear correlation for the analysis of different parameters to describe the structure, such as the beam height to span ratio, short-leg shear wall height to thickness ratio, and steel ratio are introduced. The results show that the height to span ratio directly affects the structural integrity; and the short-leg shear wall height to thickness ratio should be limited to a range of approximately 6.0 to 7.0. The design of short-leg shear walls should be in accordance with the ＂strong wall and weak beam＂ principle.

Selection Methodology of High-Cycle Fatigue Analysis Approach for Damage Estimation in Welded Structural Joints

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a summarized general guideline to aid decision making of choosing the type of fatigue analysis approach,best suited for modelling and evaluating high-cycle fatigue damage in welded structural joints.It describes how addition of stress concentration and stress direction information into fatigue assessment methodology affect simulated fatigue damage accumulation results and when it is beneficial or necessary to use a particular fatigue damage estimation approach.The focus is on stress-life curve based approaches,particularly when deciding between variants of nominal,hot-spot or multiaxial fatigue assessment approaches for evaluating fatigue damage within welded joint structures.Evaluation is illustrated through application of proposed methodology to choose and perform fatigue assessment for a non-conventional load-bearing tubular joint structure within a floating lemniscate crane upper arm,which has been observed of being prone to aggressive crack propagation within its welds.Damage within the structure is estimated using two non-optimal fatigue analysis approaches to verify applicability of proposed selection methodology.Results are then summarized through comparative assessment and findings are discussed based on what leads to result changes within each fatigue damage analysis approach.

Seismic elastic-plastic time history analysis and reliability study of quayside container crane

Quayside container crane is a kind of huge dimension steel structure,which is the major equipment used for handling container at modern ports.With the aim to validate the safety and reliability of the crane under seismic loads,besides conventional analysis,elastic-plastic time history analysis under rare seismic intensity is carried out.An ideal finite element（FEM） elastic-plastic mechanical model of the quayside container crane is presented by using ANSYS codes.Furthermore,according to elastic-plastic time history analysis theory,deformation,stress and damage pattern of the structure under rare seismic intensity are investigated.Based on the above analysis,the established reliability model according to the reliability theory,together with seismic reliability analysis based on Monte-Carlo simulation is applied to practical analysis.The results show that the overall structure of the quayside container crane is generally unstable under rare seismic intensity,and the structure needs to be reinforced.

Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis and Fatigue Study of Steep Wave Risers Under Irregular Loads

As a reliable alternative option for traditional steel catenary risers(SCRs),steep wave risers(SWRs)have been widely applied to deepwater oil and gas production.However,the nonlinear dynamic analysis of SWRs is more complicated than that of traditional SCRs due to their special configuration and significant geometric nonlinearity.Moreover,SWRs are highly susceptible to fatigue failure under the combined excitation of irregular waves and top floater motions(TFMs).In this study,considering irregular waves and TFMs,a numerical SWR model with an internal flow is constructed based on the slender rod model and finite element method.The Newmark-βmethod is adopted to solve the dynamic behavior of SWR.Moreover,the Palmgren-Miner rule,a specified S-N curve,and rainflow counting method are applied to estimate the fatigue damage.An efficient numerical computation procedure,i.e.,DRSWR,is programmed with MATLAB in this study.Calculation results are compared with those of OrcaFlex to verify the accuracy of the DRSWR.The nonlinear dynamic response and fatigue damage of an SWR under the combined excitation of irregular waves and TFMs are obtained,and a comprehensive parametric analysis is then conducted.The analysis results show that the buoyancy section undergoes the highest level of stress and fatigue damage under the combined excitation of irregular waves and TFMs.An internal flow with high velocity and high density produces a high level of fatigue damage.The buoyancy factor and length of the buoyancy section should be set moderately to reconcile the reduction of the top tension with increased fatigue life.These results are expected to provide some reference significance for the engineering design of SWR.

MIXED ENERGY METHOD FOR SOLUTION OF QUADRATIC PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS AND ELASTIC-PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF TRUSS STRUCTURES

A new algorithm for the solution of quadratic programming problemsis put forward in terms of the mixed energy theory and is furtherused for the incremental solution of elastic-plastic trussstructures. The method proposed is different from the traditionalone, for which the unknown variables are selected just in one classsuch as displacements or stresses. The present method selects thevariables in the mixed form with both displacement and stress. As themethod is established in the hybrid space, the information found inthe previous incremental step can be used for the solution of thepresent step, making the algorithm highly effi- cient in thenumerical solution process of quadratic programming problems. Theresults obtained in the exm- ples of the elastic-plastic solution ofthe truss structures verify what has been predicted in thetheoretical anal- ysis.

Fatigue analysis of closed-cell aluminium foam using different material models

The fatigue analyses of AlSi7 closed-cell aluminium foam were performed using a real porous model and three different homogenised material models:crushable foam model,isotropic hardening model and kinematic hardening model.The numerical analysis using all three homogenised material models is based on the available experimental results previously determined from fatigue tests under oscillating tensile loading with the stress ratio R=0.1.The obtained computational results have shown that both isotropic and kinematic hardening models are suitable to analyse the fatigue behaviour of closed-cell aluminium foam.Besides,the kinematic hardening material model has demonstrated significantly shorter simulation time if compared to the isotropic hardening material model.On the other hand,the crushable foam model is recognized as an inappropriate approach for the fatigue analyses under tension loading conditions.