Abstract
Abstract Extensive life extension studies for a FPSO installation have been carried out. High stressed welds showed too short fatigue lives in as-welded condition. Ultrasonic peening has been selected to extend the fatigue lives of the concerned weld details. The aim with the ultrasonic peening treatment was to avoid any further weld repair and by that contribute to the structural integrity of the installation during its remaining service life. Fatigue life extension has been achieved by the application of ultrasonic peening to high stressed areas on the pallet stool- and on longitudinal-weld details on the ballast tanks on a FPSO installation. The fatigue lives for the treated welds were extended to twenty years which is the targeted service life for the installation. Quality Assurance and Quality Control were covered by Ultrasonic Peening Procedure Specification, applied for every treated weld. It ensures that the treatment is exactly reproduced to achieve the expected life extension. Despite the variable weld quality encountered on the pallet stool welds the treatment was carried out at perfection and it showed to be relatively easy and straight forward application even in locations of difficult access. The economical benefits due to reduced maintenance as a result of the ultrasonic peening treatment include:
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