Numéro : 2361 - Year : 2000
FPSO inspection last developments
Benoit GROVEL, BUREAU VERITAS - Division Marine - Paris
This article shows the latest news for building and optimisation of inspections plans for FPSOs (Floating, Product, Storage and Off-loading). For these vessels, which should stay on site moored for a very long time in a very harsh environment., non-availability is the most important trouble.
For preparing these inspection plans, a first finite element model is made at the As-Built state. This model is first submitted to the various loadings applying on the structure and then completed with fine mesh models, for the checking of critical details in particular for fatigue estimation. Inspections are then based on the results of these firsts calculations.
Evolution of corrosion, deformations and cracks found during inspection surveys leads then to update the various models both for structural part and for loading point of view. Inspections plans are then updated with the new levels of stresses and fatigue life obtained with latest calculations. This exchange of information between surveys and mathematical models leads to a more accurate level of confidence in the structural knowledge of the ship and also in the reliability and efficiency of inspection plans.
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