The scope of this standard is to provide principles, technical requirements and guidance for structural design of floating offshore units made of steel.

Load and resistence factor design (LRFD) and the working stress design (WSD) are covered as applicable design methods. The following topics are covered:

— design principles

— design loads and load effects

— material selection and inspection principles

— strength assessment

— weld and bolt connections

— hull equipment and supporting structure.

This standard has structural requirements for the following:

— scantling control of plates, stiffeners and girders

— yield

— buckling

— fatigue

— deflection

covered by the limit states:

— ultimate limit states (ULS)

— accidental limit states (ALS)

— fatigue limit states (FLS)

— serviceability limit states (SLS).

This standard uses a deterministic design method. Design by testing and probabilistic design methods are not covered.

The acceptance criteria in this standard are based on a linear elastic strength approach, i.e. material yield stress limit. However, for special structural items it may be acceptable to use the plastic material capacity, i.e. ultimate material limit.

Flag and shelf state requirements are not covered by this standard.

Guidance note:

Flag and shelf state regulations may include requirements in excess of the provisions of this standard depending on the type, location and intended service of the offshore unit.