Fatigue behaviour of concrete in offshore concrete structures

Abstract

Offshore Engineering is a track that is growing up considerably during last decades. Offshore wind turbines, oil platforms and other projects situated on the sea are good examples of marine constructions. These types of structures are normally subjected to cyclic loads that may produce significant changes in the properties of the material during the life of the structure. This effect is also known as fatigue. Fatigue is a process of progressive and permanent structural change occurring in a material which is subjected to loads which produce time fluctuating stresses and strains. In offshore structures, the fatigue damage is more important because the special conditions of the sea and the marine environment that may accelerate the degradation of the structure. The thesis deals with the response of prestressed concrete elements subjected to fatigue damage in marine environment. A review of the most important codes for calculating the fatigue damage is presented, comparing several requirements and regulations. Finally, a methodology for calculating the fatigue damage in offshore concrete structures is proposed, considering corrosion and the mechanical response of the structure.