The operation of floating nuclear power plants is subject to a number of environmental factors in addition to the typical working temperature and pressure loads. These include marine environmental loads, which can cause fatigue damage and therefore must be taken into account. The fatigue analysis of marine structures frequently employs frequency domain methods, whereas the fatigue analysis of pressure equipment predominantly utilizes time-domain methods. At present, there is no comprehensive and accessible approach for conducting a fatigue analysis of pressure equipment in floating nuclear power plants. In light of the aforementioned considerations, this paper puts forth a novel approach to evaluating fatigue damage based on the principle of damage combination. This article presents a finite element model of pressure equipment and a methodology for calculating the transfer function of such equipment under wave loads. The frequency domain method is employed to calculate the fatigue damage caused by wave loads, with consideration given to both the working temperature and pressure load. The stress time history curve of pressure-bearing equipment is then calculated using the time-domain method. Subsequently, the fatigue damage caused by thermal pressure loads is obtained through a combination of the rainflow counting method and cumulative damage theory, with verification conducted using time-domain calculations. In comparison to alternative damage combination methodologies, the novel approach offers more precise and straightforward damage calculations, with promising potential for integration into engineering design.
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