Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter discusses a modem theory for design and analysis of marine structures. The term “marine structures” refers to ship and offshore structures. The objective of this book is to summarize the latest developments of design codes, engineering practice, and research into the form of a book, focusing on applications of finite element analysis and risk/reliability methods. The purpose of this book is to summarize these technological developments in order to promote advanced structural design. The emphasis on FEM, dynamic response, risk/reliability, and information technology differentiates this book from existing ones. This chapter also illustrates the process of a structural design based on finite element analysis and risk/reliability methods. When this book was first drafted, the author's intention was to use it in teaching his course “Marine Structural Design (MSD).” The material presented in this book may be used for several M.S. or Ph.D. courses, such as Ship Structural Design, Design of Floating Production Systems, Ultimate Strength of Marine Structures, Fatigue and Fracture, and Risk and Reliability in Marine Structures. This book addresses the marine and offshore applications of steel structures. In addition to the topics that are normally covered by civil engineering books on design of steel structures this book also covers hydrodynamics, ship impacts, and fatigue/fracture. By comparing with books on design of spacecraft structures, this book describes applications of finite element methods and risk/reliability methods in greater details. Hence, it should also be of interest to engineers and researchers working on civil engineering and spacecraft structures.