Hot deformation behavior and processing map of low-alloy offshore steel

The hot deformation behavior of a low-alloy offshore steel was systematically investigated within the temperature range of 850-1150℃ and strain rate range of 0.01-10 s^(-1),via hot compression testing.The hot working equation,grain size model and recrystallization kinetic models of the steel were developed by fitting the experimental data.The results show that the decrease in Zener-Hollomon Z-parameter value(the increase in deformation temperature and the decrease in strain rate)is beneficial for the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization,and the grain size can be refined by increasing the Z-parameter value within the deformation range of dynamic recrystallization.However,when the Z-parameter value is higher than 3.43×10^(16),dynamic recrystallization will be difficult to occur within the range of experimental deformation conditions.Additionally,processing maps at different strains were constructed.According to the processing map and microstructural analysis,the optimal hot working conditions of the studied steel are within the temperature range of 1000-1100℃ and strain rate range of 0.1-1 s^(−1),and a complete recrystallization microstructure with fine homogeneous grains could be obtained.

Calibration of LRFD Format for Steel Jacket Offshore Platforms in China Offshore Area(1) :Statistical Parameters of Loads and Resistances

The statistical characteristics and parameters of loads and resistances are systematically studied for the development of probabilistic limit state design method for steel jacket offshore platforms in the China offshore area. The mean value, standard variance and distribution pattern of resistances and loads in different base perieds are presented. The statistical parameters of structural member resistance, self-weight, deck live load, and environmental loads such as wind, wave, current and ice, which are drawn on a large amount of observatian data of offshore environmental factors, and the design data of platforms in China Bohai Sea form the data set, providing a necessary basis for the calibration of load and resistance factors to realize the reliability-based design of jacket platform structures.

Monte-Carlo Simulation of Surface Crack Growth Rate for Offshore Structural Steel E36-Z35

The Monte- Carlo method is used to simulate the surface fatigue crack growth rate for offshore structural steel E36-Z35, and to determine the distributions and relevance of the parameters in the Paris equation. By this method, the time and cost of fatigue crack propagation testing can be reduced. The application of the method is demonstrated by use of four sets of fatigue crack propagation data for offshore structural steel E36-Z35. A comparison of the test data with the theoretical prediction for surface crack growth rate shows the application of the simulation method to the fatigue crack propagation tests is successful.

Calibration of LRFD Format for Steel Jacket OffshorePlatform in China Offshore Area(2): Load, Resistance and Load Combination Factors

Adopting the load and resistance factor design format, the design method for steel jaeket platform structures is developed. Firstly, the limit state equations and design format for steel jacket platform structures are introduced. Then, the ratio of live load effect to dead load effect is estimated. The target reliabilities for design of offshore structures in China offshore area are calibrated by past practice in API RP2A-WSD code. The load and resistance factors are optimized by minimizing the difference within the target reliability and the resulting reliability over the range of load effect ratios. Considering the concurrence of different loads, load combination factors are obtained through an optimization process, and the relation between the load combination factor and load correlation coefficient is established. Finally, the design formulae for steel jacket structures in China offshore area are recommended.

A new bracing system for improvement of seismic performance of steel jacket type offshore platforms with float-over-deck

In this paper, the seismic response of a newly designed steel jacket offshore platform with a float over deck （FOD） system in the Persian Gulf was investigated through incremental dynamic analysis. Comparison of incremental dynamic analysis results for both directions of the platform shows that the lateral strength of the platform in the float over direction is less than its lateral strength in other direction. Dynamic characteristics measurement of a scale model of platform was also performed using forced vibration tests. From experimental measurement of the scaled model, it was observed that dynamic characteristic of the platform is different in the float over direction compared to the other direction. Therefore, a new offshore installed bracing system for the float over direction was proposed for improvement of seismic performance of this type of platform. Finally, the structure with the modified system was assessed using the probabilistic seismic assessment method as well as experimental measurement of its dynamic characteristics. It was observed that the proposed offshore installed bracing system improves the performance of platforms subjected to strong ground motion.

GROWTH OF SHORT CRACKS OF A537CLI STEEL UNDER FATIGUE LOADING IN 3.5% NaCl SOLUTION

The effects of environmental media,both in atmosphere and in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution, on the growth of short cracks in comparison with the long ones have been investigated under fatigue loading on the specimens of single-edge crack about 0.05—0.15 mm for A537CLI steel.The growth rate of short cracks is faster than those of long ones around the threshoht stress intensity.The threshold stress intensity for short crack growth decreases with de- creasing crack length.The acceleration effect of the salt water,as compared with atmosphere environment,on the growth of short cracks under fatigue is much greater than that on the growth of long cracks.

Corrosion Behavior of Rusted 550 MPa Grade Offshore Platform Steel

The corrosion behavior of a rusted 550 MPa grade offshore platform steel in Clcontaining environment was investigated.The results revealed that the corrosion process can be divided into initial stage in which corrosion rate increased with accumulation of corrosion products and later stage in which homogeneous and compact rust layer started to protect steel substrate out of corrosion mediums.On the contrary,structural analysis of rust layers by X-ray diffraction showed that α-FeOOH increased from 1.3% to 3.6% and the Fe3O4 increased from 1.0% to 1.5% while γ-FeOOH reduced slightly according to corrosion time increased from 30 cycles to 73 cycles.The results of electron probe microanalysis indicated that Cr concentrated mainly in the inner region of the rust,inner/outer interface especially,whereas Ni and Cu were uniformly distributed all over the rust after 73 corrosion cycles.According to electrochemical measurements,it was found that the corrosion rate of rusted steel reduced from 0.61 mm/a after 45 cycles to 0.34 mm/a after 85 cycles,44.3% reduction approximately,and Rrust values increased with increment of corrosion time.Therefore,formation of compact inner rust layer and enrichment of Cr are important to improve corrosion resistance of offshore platform steel.

Corrosion Behavior of High Performance Offshore Platform Steel with Chromium and Nickel Addition in the Environment Containing Chloride Ions

The characterization of corrosion products formed on a high performance offshore platform steel in the en- vironment containing chloride ions has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X ray diffraction （XRD）, electron probe microanalysis （EPMA） and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. The results re- veal that the corrosion process can be divided into the initial stage and the later stage. The main constituents of rust layers are c~ FeOOH, 13-FeOOH, y-FeOOH, Fe：^（）~ and large amounts of amorphous compounds. With increasing corrosion time, the mass fraction of a-FeOOH and Fe：~ O,, increased, while that of y-FeOOH and ^-FeOOH changed slightly. The enrichment of Cr and Ni at the inner/outer interface, especially the side of inner rust, can be observed in the later corrosion stage of Cr Ni steel, which can promote the formation of compact inner rust layer, impeding the transmission of corrosion mediums and slowing down the electrochemical reaction process.

ACOUSTIC EMISSION DURING CORROSION FATIGUE

Acoustic emisssion(AE)behavior during fatigue in either airer or 3.5% NaCl solution has been studied for a structural steel(SM5OB-Zc)as quenched and normalized states.The ex- perimental results show that AE activity is strongly affected by the heat treatment and the condition of environment.Some material constants about A E related with fatigue behavior were obtained and the AE sources in corrosion fatigue were discussed.

Effect of Mo content on nano-scaled particles,prior austenite grains and impact toughness of CGHAZ in offshore engineering steels

The effect of Mo on nano-scaled particles,prior austenite grains and impact toughness of coarse-grained heat-affected zone(CGHAZ)in offshore engineering steels with Ca deoxidation was studied.The heat-affected zone(HAZ)toughness of Mo16 steel is obviously higher than that of Mo8 steel at all the heat inputs of 50,100,150 and 200 kJ/cm,with HAZ toughness of both steels decreased with increasing the welding heat input.When the Mo content is increased from 0.08 to 0.16%,the size of nano-scaled particles in HAZ is decreased from 18 to 15 nm,and their number density is increased from 0.7 to 0.9μm^(−2).Thus,the Zener pinning force is increased,and the prior austenite grain size(PAGS)is decreased,leading to the improved HAZ toughness.Microstructural characterizations show that the nano-scaled particles in both steels are Ti(C,N)with the solute elements of Nb and Mo.The calculated critical particle size of TiN is 10.2 and 8.4 nm in Mo8 and Mo16 steels at 1350℃,and the particles larger than the critical size are stable during the welding process.From the Zener pinning force calculation,Ti(C,N)particles play the more important role in the pinning effect on the prior austenite grain growth.Based on the regression analysis by the MATLAB results,the predicted values of PAGS at different heat inputs are well fitted with the experimental data.

A Probabilistic Model for Fatigue Crack Propagation Analysis

A simple probabilistic model for predicting crack growth behavior under random loading is presented. In the model, the parameters c and m in the Paris-Erdogan Equation are taken as random variables, and their stochastic characteristic values are obtained through fatigue crack propagation tests on an offshore structural steel under constant amplitude loading. Furthermore, by using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, the fatigue crack propagation life to reach a given crack length is predicted. The tests are conducted to verify the applicability of the theoretical prediction of the fatigue crack propagation.