General

This Recommended Practice presents recommendations in relation to fatigue analyses based on fatigue tests and fracture mechanics. Conditions for the validity of the Recommended Practice are given in section 1.2.

The aim of fatigue design is to ensure that the structure has an adequate fatigue life. Calculated fatigue lives also form the basis for efficient inspection programmes during fabrication and the operational life of the structure.

To ensure that the structure will fulfil its intended function, a fatigue assessment, supported where appropriate by a detailed fatigue analysis, should be carried out for each individual member, which is subjected to fatigue loading. See also section 2.11. It should be noted that any element or member of the structure, every welded joint and attachment or other form of stress concentration, is potentially a source of fatigue cracking and should be individually considered.