Fatigue of tubular joints and fatigue improvement methods

Abstract This paper reviews important parameters and conditions that determine the life of welded joints, and summarizes recent research developments in the fatigue design of welded structures, with an emphasis on offshore tubular structures. Two of the factors that strongly affect fatigue life, the environment and plate thickness, have been the subject of several large research programs in recent years. With the increasing use of higher strength steels much interest has also been taken in various methods for improving the fatigue life of welded joints. Developments in these areas of research are reviewed. Examples of approaches to fatigue life prediction in design codes are given. Recent changes to design codes are evaluated, and examples of significant changes in design codes are given. Progress in the implementation of techniques for fatigue life improvement and life extension of fatigue‐damaged structures are discussed.