Life Extension of Structures (BYG570)

The course will provide an introduction to structural safety, in-service integrity management of structures and assessment of structures for life extension. The course will include topics such as the partial factor method, structural reliability theory, how structures age, inspection of structures, strength analysis of damaged and degraded structures and repair methods for structures. The course is related to structures in general, but with emphasis on offshore structures.

Part I: Safety of structures. Introduction to the principles of safety of structures as defined in standards such as ISO 2394 and EN 1990, and the historical development of principles of safety of structures. Introduction to structural reliability analysis (FOSM, FORM and Monte Carlo simulations). Use of structural reliability analysis of structures for calibration of safety factors, updating based on new information and planning of inspections.

Part II: Challenges related to life extension of aging structures, degradation of different materials and structural types, historical development of standards used for design of offshore structures, causes of structural failure, methods for safety assessment of structures.

Assessment of structures for life extension: analysis used in assessment of structures for life extension including strength calculation of damaged and deteriorated structures and fatigue analysis of existing structures.

Ensuring Structural Integrity in operation: Maintenance and monitoring of structures in operation and life extension, inspection planning, data management, integrity assessments in operation.

After taking this course, students should:

• Be able to understand and perform different types of safety assessments of structures
• Be able to calculate characteristic loads, load effects and strength of structures
• Understand the factors that can limit the life of structures
• Be able to undertake strength analysis of deteriorated structures
• Be able to perform fatigue analysis of existing structures
• Know the principles of managing the integrity of structures in operation and in life extension, including inspection planning and general principles on repair of deteriorated and damaged structures.