Comparison of Fatigue Provisions in Various Codes and Standards-Part 1: Basic Design S-N Curves of Non-Tubular Steel Members

Abstract

For the fatigue design of offshore structures, it is essential to understand and use the S-N curves specified in various industry standards and codes. This study compared the characteristics of the S-N curves for five major codes. The codes reviewed in this paper were DNV Classification Rules (DNV GL, 2016), ABS Classification Rules (ABS, 2003), British Standards (BSI, 2015), International Welding Association Standards (IIW, 2008), and European Standards (BSI, 2005). Types of stress, such as nominal stress, hot-spot stress, and effective notch stress, were analyzed according to the code. The basic shape of the S-N curve for each code was analyzed. A review of the survival probability of the basic design S-N curve for each code was performed. Finally, the impact on the conservatism of the design was analyzed by comparing the S-N curves of three grades D, E, and F by the five codes. The results presented in this paper are considered to be a good guideline for the fatigue design of offshore structures because the S-N curves of the five most-used codes were analyzed in depth.